At the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Deniz Undav has already registered three goals and two assists for Germany. As such, the VfB forward played a significant role in the team’s opening 7-1 victory over Curaçao, and the subsequent 2-1 triumph against Côte d’Ivoire.
Rubbing shoulders with big names
Undav’s trio of strikes mean he has now scored more World Cup goals for Germany than any other VfB player in history. Three other players have found the net for Germany at a World Cup while on the books in Cannstatt, each scoring once: Hansi Müller did so at the 1978 edition in Argentina, while Cacau and Sami Khedira hit the target at South Africa 2010.
Undav is now in 21st place in Germany’s all-time World Cup scoring chart, level with Michael Ballack, Pierre Littbarski, Wolfgang Overath, Toni Kroos, André Schürrle and Fritz Walter. Miroslav Klose is the country’s record scorer at the global showdown with 16 goals.
“I’m enjoying every moment”
“I’m enjoying every moment at this World Cup,” said Undav after the win against Côte d’Ivoire. There were also warm words for him from his national team-mates. “Deniz is someone who always believes in himself and in his moments,” said captain Joshua Kimmich. Jonathan Tah added: “He gets his goals and pushes the team, whether it’s in training, on the pitch or as a substitute.”
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann told ZDF in the wake of the Côte d’Ivoire result that, “Deniz scored two fantastic goals, he’s a striker through and through.”
VfB players with World Cup goals for Germany
Hansi Müller
Cacau
Sami Khedira
Deniz Undav
