The German Hockey Federation (DHB) has confirmed the 18-player Honamas squad selected to defend their title at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Wavre, Belgium. Head coach André Henning has constructed a compact 4-2-3-1 defensive press to offset the injury loss of senior defender Mathias Müller, seeking back-to-back gold medals following their 2023 World Cup victory in Bhubaneswar.
Who is in Germany's 18-player squad for the World Cup defense?
Mats Grambusch captains an experienced squad aiming for consecutive titles:
📊 Germany Title Defense Key Player Breakdown
| Player | Role | Caps | 2023 WC Goals | Specialist Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mats Grambusch (C) | Midfielder / Captain | 198 | 3 | Tactical press organization |
| Gonzalo Peillat | Defender / Drag-Flicker | 182 | 6 | Drag-flick conversion (31.2%) |
| Niklas Wellen | Forward / Playmaker | 188 | 7 | Circle entries & assists |
| Jean-Paul Danneberg | Goalkeeper | 54 | N/A | Shootout save rate (44%) |
How will Gonzalo Peillat and Jean-Paul Danneberg anchor the side?
Goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg (54 caps) and drag-flick specialist Gonzalo Peillat (6 goals in 2023 World Cup) form Germany's set-piece foundation. Placed in Pool B, Germany faces co-hosts Belgium on August 17 at Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre. For schedule details, view our Germany Schedule Hub.
Where can German fans watch the tournament live?
German supporters can follow all matches live via television and digital platforms:
- Free TV Broadcast: ZDF will air all German national team matches live on terrestrial TV.
- Live Stream: DAZN holds digital streaming rights for all 48 tournament matches in Germany.
- Wavre Parking Directions: Drivers taking the A4/E411 highway should park at the Wavre North P+R hub and board free event shuttle buses.
Track group standouts on our Pool B Page and read the preview for Germany vs Belgium.