FIFA named him the best player of the World Cup, yet he starts on the bench. The coach explains why

The German international earned an impressive 8.38 points in this ranking, outperforming global football stars such as Messi, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Dembélé, and Haaland. Deniz Undav has proven his effectiveness, scoring three goals and providing two assists in just 86 minutes of play at the 2026 World Cup so far.

Ahead of the final group stage match against Ecuador, many anticipated Julian Nagelsmann would give him a starting spot. However, the German national team coach opted to maintain continuity in his starting lineup, continuing to utilize the 29-year-old forward primarily as a substitute.

“There’s always a discussion. You can start him and leverage his strengths on the field from the opening whistle, or you can hope he continues to be an effective super-sub. And that’s our strategy. If Deniz starts, we’d likely have to substitute someone else.

Who is the true finisher in our team? Of course, the players in the starting eleven are incredibly important. But those who come on for 20 minutes and can decide the fate of a match are also crucial. Deniz belongs to this group,” Nagelsmann explained.

Based on his statement, it appears he will stick to his tactics even in the opening match of the knockout stage. His squad will face Paraguay in the Round of 16, with Deniz Undav most likely starting on the bench, despite FIFA naming him the best player of the tournament so far.