LEIPZIG, Germany :Germany are not even considering the possibility of going into next year's 2026 World Cup qualification playoff when they host Slovakia in their final qualifier on Monday, with only victory on their minds, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Sunday.

The Germans will qualify automatically for next year's World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, with a win or even a draw as they lead Group A on 12 points, ahead of Slovakia on goal difference. The Slovaks beat them in the opening qualifier in Bratislava 2-0 in September.

A home defeat on Monday, however, could prove disastrous and send Germany into second place and into a March playoff for a spot in next year's tournament, a prospect Nagelsmann and his team are desperate to avoid.

"No it is not an issue (

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