Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst has emerged from Germany's Nations League quarter-final victory over Italy as a big winner in the race to see who might lead the line at the 2026 World Cup.
The Germans have to reach the tournament first, with their qualification starting in September, but they can further boost their confidence ahead of time by hosting and potentially winning the Nations League Final Four in June.
Kleindienst seems certain to be at those finals, with Germany hosting Portugal in Munich in their semi-final on June 4 before Spain meet France in Stuttgart the next day.