From Afghan refugees to the German national team's 2026 World Cup squad
In short: Nadiem Amiri’s journey from Ludwigshafen to the highest levels of European football is a testament to resilience. After his family fled the Soviet–Afghan War in 1988, Amiri rose through the German youth ranks to become a key attacking midfielder for Mainz 05 and the German national team.
Born on 27 October 1996, Nadiem Amiri is a versatile attacking midfielder whose career has spanned several major European leagues. His roots trace back to Kabul, Afghanistan, where his family fled in 1988 during the Soviet–Afghan War. Now a citizen of Germany, Amiri is multilingual, speaking German, Dari, and English fluently. His footballing pedigree is a family affair; both his brother, Nauwid, and his cousin, Zubayr, are also professional players.
Amiri's ascent through the German football pyramid began at Waldhof Mannheim before he joined TSG Hoffenheim in 2012. He quickly made his mark, making his Bundesliga debut against VfL Wolfsburg on 7 February 2015. His success at the youth level was equally notable, as he was a member of the German under-21 side that secured the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship title after defeating Spain in the final.
His international career has seen significant highs and long periods of absence. After debuting for the senior national team against Argentina in October 2019, he was later recalled by manager Julian Nagelsmann in March 2025. Since his return, he has continued to progress, scoring his first senior international goal against Northern Ireland in September 2025. This resurgence culminated in his selection for Germany's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Currently playing for Bundesliga club Mainz 05, Amiri has also experienced life in Italy through a loan spell at Genoa. His career has been defined by these high-stakes movements, from signing a five-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen in 2019 to navigating a collapsed transfer to Leeds United in August 2023.
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