Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Kai Havertz Germany form has become a key part of Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup plan, with the Arsenal forward helping his national team move past recent group-stage failures and win Group E.
Havertz is preparing with Germany national football team in Winston, North Carolina, after scoring twice against Curaçao and helping the side build confidence before the knockout rounds. His role matters because Germany are chasing their first World Cup title since 2014 after early exits in 2018 and 2022.
For more World Cup off-field coverage, read England World Cup Power Demand Pushes Gas Plants Into Costly Action, while official tournament updates are available through the FIFA World Cup 2026 page.
Havertz Finds New Germany Energy
“Qatar was anything but successful for us as a team and for me personally,” Havertz says.
“There’s a different energy in our squad now. I was quickly convinced that things would go better this year. We knew we had a duty not to fail early on again. We are Germany. But now the tournament is really just beginning.”
Germany have beaten Curaçao and Côte d’Ivoire to move through Group E, with Havertz saying the side have rediscovered their attacking rhythm.
“We radiate a real joy in playing,” he says. “We move a lot, play offensively and create scoring chances. And we bounce back after conceding goals.”
Arsenal Forward Embraces Centre-Forward Role
Havertz has 24 goals from 60 Germany caps and is now Nagelsmann’s preferred centre-forward, even with Deniz Undav pushing after his brace against Côte d’Ivoire.
The 27-year-old said his movement is designed to unsettle defenders rather than simply wait in the penalty area.
“Defenders should never know where I am, where I’m going, what I’m planning, or where I’ll be at any given moment,” he says. “That’s the worst for them. I try to be like a ghost to defenders.”
Havertz also said World Cup hydration breaks can disrupt a team’s rhythm.
“They’re usually annoying, especially when you’ve just had two or three good situations and feel your flow is being interrupted,” he says. “But others decide that.”
Germany now look ahead to Ecuador national football team, with a possible last-16 clash against France national football team still looming.