Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Student-Athletes Excited for German National Team To Experience Wake Forest University
1/29/2026 3:15:00 PM | General
Demon Deacon student-athletes who have ties to Germany speak about the impact of the National Team coming to Winston-Salem this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As announced earlier this month, the German Men's National Team has selected Winston-Salem as its home base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing Wake Forest University and The Graylyn Estate as its official training site and team headquarters – bringing one of the world's premier soccer programs to the Triad and placing Winston-Salem on an international stage.
As part of the partnership, the German team will reside at The Graylyn Estate and train at Wake Forest's W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium, one of the nation's premier collegiate soccer facilities. Together, Wake Forest and Graylyn will provide world-class training infrastructure and accommodations as the four-time World Cup champions prepare for and compete in one of the world's premier global sporting events.
Germany is one of the most successful national teams in the history of the sport, having won FIFA World Cup titles in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014. The team is led by Coach Julian Nagelsmann, widely regarded as one of the most innovative coaches in international soccer.
Wake Forest student-athletes from men's golf, field hockey, track & field/cross country and men's soccer discussed their thoughts on the impact of Germany's arrival to Winston-Salem for the world's largest sporting event.
What They Are Saying
"The Soccer World Cup is an integral part of Germany's national identity. Seeing Wake Forest support the team in their pursuit of a fifth title makes me incredibly proud, as I now call both places home. Our facilities and community have meant a lot to my own journey, and I'm excited to see the team train and compete here as well." — Tom Haberer, Men's Golf
"Coming from Germany and growing up watching soccer, it feels like a real honor to have the German national team here on campus. It's a special moment where two worlds and two homes come together. I'm incredibly excited for Wake Forest and genuinely happy for the national team to have such great conditions as they prepare for the World Cup." — Mia Montag, Field Hockey
Having Wake Forest hosting the German national team in their preparation for the World Cup is very meaningful and special. It speaks to the quality of our program and our community, and it's exciting for me to support my home country while they prepare on our campus! — Lena Keller, Field Hockey
"I am honored and excited about the German national team having their home base on our campus. They will have great conditions to be prepared for the World Cup. As a true football nation I'll be cheering for them to bring it home and hope they will enjoy their time in Winston!" — Paul Specht, Track & Field/Cross Country
"Being born in Germany and having the national team training right in my backyard at Wake Forest means a lot to me. With some family still back home in Germany, it's a powerful reminder of my roots and how far the journey has come, especially watching them my whole life since I was a little kid. It's a surreal moment for our school and speaks to the level of our facilities." — Daniel Krueger, Men's Soccer
