Nick Woltemade is set to be called up to the German national team on the back of a tough spell at Newcastle United.
Germany have given Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade a vote of confidence ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The 24-year-old is set to be called up by Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann when the squad is announced later on Thursday.
Woltemade has scored just once for Newcastle in 2026, with his last Premier League strike coming in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea three months ago.
The forward played in midfield in the 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday before dropping to the bench against Barcelona, where he remained on the bench as Newcastle lost 7-2 in the Champions League.
Nick Woltemade handed Germany call-up
Sky Sport in Germany have confirmed that Woltemade has been called up to Nagelsmann’s squad.
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Hansi Flick backs Nick Woltemade
Ahead of Newcastle’s match, former Germany national team boss and current Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was asked about Woltemade playing in midfield.
“This isn’t his fault,” Flick said. “He needs to play with confidence, that’s just how it is in football.
“I think Eddie knows better than I do where he should play and his right position. And I see him as a good player, and also an important one for the German national team.
“I wish Nick all the best, maybe not for this game, but after this game!”
Ultimately, Woltemade could only watch from the bench as Newcastle capitulated in the second half at Camp Nou.
They were level in the tie until the final kick of the first half as Lamine Yamal converted from the spot to put Barcelona 3-2 up on the night. The hosts then proceeded to score four unanswered goals in the second half to claim a huge Champions League last-16 win.
It was also Newcastle’s heaviest European defeat and the heaviest defeat suffered by an English club in a Champions League knockout fixture.
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade’s World Cup chances
Howe was recently asked if Woltemade’s inconsistent recent role in his Newcastle side could impact the player’s World Cup chances
“In terms of his Germany career, without speaking for Nick, I think him playing well in any position for us is only going to help supplement that,” Howe said. “Nick is very, very happy playing the [midfield] role that he has done the last few games, there’s no fight with him on that.
“He's very much all in because he wants to showcase his best skills and his best skills are technically helping us link play. But what we've seen which maybe has surprised me, has been his tactical understanding and his ability to understand the press, understand what he needs to do defensively, he’s been excellent.
“He does have a sort of freedom on the ball to take up central positions. He has the freedom to drift to a degree across the pitch, so he’s not in a stranglehold by the position in one place.
“Hopefully we’ll see the very best of him, but his position isn't fixed, we can change however we see fit depending on the game."
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