Germany may have found an unlikely World Cup hero in forward Deniz Undav, who has become the first player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to score multiple goals and provide multiple assists despite not starting a single match.
The 29-year-old striker has made a stunning impact off the bench, registering three goals and two assists in of the tournament. His contributions have played a crucial role in Germany’s strong start, with Undav emerging as one of the breakout stars of the competition.
Undav announced himself on the global stage in Germany’s opening 7-1 victory over Curacao, coming on as a substitute to score once and provide two assists. He followed that performance with a brace and a Man of the Match display in a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast, helping Germany secure qualification for the knockout stages.
What makes Undav’s rise even more remarkable is the unconventional path he took to the top. Born on July 19, 1996, in Varel and raised near Bremen, Undav is the son of Kurdish Yazidi parents whose family roots trace back to southeastern Turkey. He is also the first footballer of Yazidi heritage to represent Germany at a major international tournament.
His football journey was far from straightforward. Released by Werder Bremen’s academy as a teenager because of his height, Undav rebuilt his career through Germany’s lower divisions with clubs including TSV Havelse, Eintracht Braunschweig II and SV Meppen.
His breakthrough came after a move to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in 2020. He helped the club win promotion and later finished as the Belgian league’s top scorer, earning Belgian Footballer of the Year honours.
Those performances earned him a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 before returning to Germany with VfB Stuttgart. During the 2023-24 season, he scored 18 Bundesliga goals and helped Stuttgart secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Undav’s international career has been equally rapid. Having never represented Germany at the youth level, he received his first senior call-up only in 2024 at the age of 27. He went on to feature at UEFA Euro 2024 before earning a place in Germany’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Now, with three goals and two assists from the substitute bench, Undav has transformed from an underdog striker into one of Germany’s most influential players at the World Cup. If his current form continues, the super-sub may soon force his way into the starting lineup as Germany chases another world title.