El Mala’s World Cup hopes dwindling after choppy run of form

The 19-year-old has struggled for form since Julian Nagelsmann demanded he become a talisman for 1.FC Köln.

Said El Mala’s 2026 World Cup hopes seem to be dwindling ever since Julian Nagelsmann told him he had to be the main man at 1.FC Köln.

El Mala received his first senior national team call-up from in November 2025 for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia. 

However, the numbers are telling according to BILD – El Mala has played 20 games so far, 8 as a starter with 12 substitute appearances.

Since Germany’s national team coach demanded he claims a regular place at Köln, 10 league games have been played since. 

During this time, however, El Mala was only allowed to start five times under Lukas Kwasniok for the Cathedral City side. 

By comparison, Bayern star Lennart Karl, who was also called up for the first time at the same time, made 8 appearances in that period.

With Nagelsmann likely to put a precedent on experienced players, El Mala and Karl could be directly competing for a place in the squad.