Ridle Baku nominated for DFB again after almost four years

Bundes coach Julian Nagelsmann has surprisingly named Leipzig RB defender Ridle Baku for the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. The 27-year-old thus returns to the DFB team after almost four years. So far, he has made four appearances, scored one goal and provided one assist in the national jersey.

The DFB squad started the qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup with a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Slovakia. The subsequent 3:1 win against Northern Ireland means that Nagelsmann and his team go into the next double matchday three points behind Slovakia. In Sinsheim on October 10 (8:45 p.m./ARD), Germany will face group bottom team Luxembourg. The game in Belfast against Northern Ireland follows on October 13 (20:45/RTL).

Baku had flirted with a nomination

Nagelsmann has a great need at right-back, as captain Joshua Kimmich has been moved back into defensive midfield. He recently tested newcomer Nnamdi Collins against Slovakia. With Leipzig's Benjamin Henrichs working on his comeback to the club after tearing his Achilles tendon, Baku have now been rewarded for their good start to the season with RB.

Just a week ago, the full-back said of his return to the DFB: "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it. We are successful as a club and the national coach can read the table and who all plays for RB Leipzig."