PONTIANAK – The excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to once again enliven West Kalimantan.
Amid the growing enthusiasm of football fans, West Kalimantan’s Deputy Governor, Krisantus Kurniawan, revealed that Germany is his top pick to win the four-yearly tournament.
Krisantus shared that he has long admired Germany’s disciplined playing style and their consistency in building strong player regeneration systems.
The German national team, currently managed by Julian Nagelsmann, has successfully integrated experienced stars with promising young talents in one cohesive squad.
Veteran figures such as Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Antonio Rüdiger continue to serve as the backbone of the team.
Meanwhile, emerging talents like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are steadily developing with ample opportunities to prove themselves.
This blend of experience and youth has helped Germany remain one of the most consistent teams competing at the global level.
Krisantus also encouraged football enthusiasts to enjoy watching matches or playing the sport themselves as a way to express their passion for football.
However, behind the World Cup euphoria, Krisantus also drew attention to Indonesia’s football achievements, which, in his view, still fall short when compared to the nation’s vast population of over 270 million people.
“The Netherlands has a much smaller population, yet they can compete at the world level and have even reached the World Cup final. Indonesia has an abundance of human resources and should be capable of producing top-tier players,” he said on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
According to Krisantus, national football development should focus more on nurturing homegrown Indonesian talent. He believes that the sense of pride is greater when achievements are earned by players developed within the country.
“We must be committed to training the best Indonesian talents so that they can compete internationally. Our potential is immense and must be utilised to its fullest,” he added.
Additionally, Krisantus emphasised the importance of professional football governance that is free from collusion and nepotism.
He noted that government funding for sports, including football, is already substantial, and therefore must be matched by sustainable development programs that deliver tangible results.
“What we need is a healthy system, proper coaching, and equal opportunities for talented players to develop,” he concluded.
Projected Line-up and Players of the German National Team for the 2026 World Cup
The Germany national football team will enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites and a four-time world champion.
Under coach Julian Nagelsmann, Germany aims to bounce back after disappointing campaigns in 2018 and 2022, where they were eliminated during the group stage.
Key objectives for Germany at the 2026 World Cup:
- Chasing their fifth world title
- Improving on poor performances from 2018 & 2022
- Minimum target: advance to knockout stage, with potential to reach at least the quarter-finals or beyond
Below is the projected list of players for Germany’s 2026 World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer
Oliver Baumann
Alexander Nübel
Finn Dahmen (or Jonas Urbig as an alternative option)
Defenders
Joshua Kimmich
Antonio Rüdiger
Jonathan Tah
Nico Schlotterbeck
Waldemar Anton
David Raum
Malick Thiaw
Nathaniel Brown
Midfielders
Jamal Musiala
Florian Wirtz
Leon Goretzka
Aleksandar Pavlović
Felix Nmecha
Pascal Groß
Angelo Stiller
Nadiem Amiri
Forwards
Kai Havertz
Leroy Sané
Maximilian Beier
Deniz Undav
Nick Woltemade
Jamie Leweling
Lennart Karl
