TSG Hoffenheim has set qualification for the UEFA Champions League as its clear objective for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The club aims to bridge the one-point gap that denied them a top-four finish last term.
Under head coach Christian Ilzer, who took charge in November 2024, Hoffenheim finished fifth in 2025/26. Their final league standing was sixth place with 51 points from 29 matches (15 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses). A goal difference of +14 (57 scored, 43 conceded) was the fourth-best in the league, but they ended the campaign 25 points behind champions Bayern Munich.
Seven new arrivals have bolstered the squad for the new campaign. The spotlight is on midfield prodigy Nathan De Cat. The 18-year-old Belgian signed from RSC Anderlecht and has already made his senior international debut for Belgium in a friendly against the USA earlier in 2026. "Nathan is one of the biggest talents in European football in his position," said Hoffenheim's managing director Andreas Schicker. "We firmly believe in his potential and want to give him the trust and the necessary time to demonstrate his strengths at Bundesliga level and to continue developing."
Further additions with Bundesliga experience are Adam Daghim and Patrick Wimmer. At 27, Wimmer is the only one of the seven summer signings over the age of 24. They are joined by left-back Mats Rots and Germany youth international Cajetan Lenz. Departures saw Bazoumana Touré join Newcastle United and Grischa Prömel leave. The full roster is available on our squad page.
Despite the youthful influx, Ilzer will still rely on seasoned campaigners. Goalkeeper and captain Oliver Baumann, 36, is a club stalwart. He has been at Hoffenheim since 2014, making just shy of 400 Bundesliga appearances for the club, and was Germany's number one during the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. In attack, veteran forward Andrej Kramarić remains key after scoring 14 league goals last season. Star player Fisnik Asllani is also expected to stay and lead the line.
Pre-season friendlies yielded mixed results. Convincing wins came against SGV Freiburg (3-0), Greuther Fürth (4-1), Holstein Kiel (3-1), and Karlsruhe (3-0). A rout of Massenbachhausen ended 21-0. The sole defeat in preparation was a 1-4 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Their recent form from last season's final games reads DLLDW. The first major test arrives on September 5th at home against Borussia Dortmund, who currently sit second in the table. Our fixtures page lists the complete schedule.
The ambitions are high, and the path starts with a demanding opening run. After an away match at Cologne, Hoffenheim faces back-to-back home games against Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart. The club has a reputation as a developer of elite talent, a philosophy continued with the signing of youngsters like De Cat. Whether the blend of youth and experience under Ilzer is enough for the coveted Champions League spot will become clear in the coming weeks. The starting point for this mission is documented in the current standings table.
