Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen has reiterated his ambition to be part of Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup, following his club's successful battle to avoid relegation. The 28-year-old, who has been included in Julian Nagelsmann's last four national team selections, made his comments after Augsburg secured Bundesliga safety with a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dahmen acknowledged that the final decision rests with the national team coach but pointed to his consistent form as a reason for optimism. "Of course, I’m hoping to go to the World Cup," Dahmen said. "But, in the end the national team coach makes the decision. I feel good, I’m in good form and they know what I can offer." The Wiesbaden-born keeper, who celebrated his birthday last month, is yet to make his senior debut for Germany despite his recent call-ups.
The draw with Frankfurt extended Augsburg's uninterrupted stay in the top flight to 16 years, a primary objective for the season. Dahmen, who joined from Mainz in 2022, played a key role throughout the campaign for the modest Bavarian club. Reflecting on the collective achievement, he added, "We’re happy to have secured survival. But, of course, we really wanted to win today. Before the winter break, we set ourselves certain goals and now we’ve achieved them."
Dahmen's consistent performances for Augsburg have formed the basis of his national team aspirations. Operating behind a defense that conceded 58 goals this season, his reliability has been a crucial factor in the team's results. His path to the World Cup squad is challenging, however, with established figures like Manuel Neuer and Marc-André ter Stegen currently ahead in the pecking order, alongside other contenders such as Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno.
The final weeks of the Bundesliga season will now serve as an extended audition for Dahmen, as Nagelsmann finalizes his plans for the tournament. His inclusion in recent squads suggests he is firmly in the coach's thoughts, and a strong finish to the club campaign could strengthen his case. For Augsburg, securing Dahmen's services for another season is now a priority, as his form has attracted attention beyond the national team setup.
His journey from Mainz, where he spent his early professional career, to becoming a Bundesliga regular and a national team hopeful underscores a season of significant personal progress. The coming months will determine whether his World Cup dream becomes a reality, as he aims to translate his club form onto the international stage.
