FSV Mainz 05 - injuries & suspensions October 2026

FSV Mainz 05: 2026/27 season preview

1. FSV Mainz 05 begin the 2026/2027 season after a campaign that looked for a long time as though it would end far worse for the club than it ultimately did. After 16 matches in the previous season, Mainz had just nine points and were bottom of the table. Urs Fischer took charge in December 2025, and results improved significantly under his leadership. Mainz eventually finished the season in tenth place. The Swiss coach has now completed his first full pre-season with the team and will primarily be looking to avoid another slow start.

Fischer is building the team his way

Urs Fischer has already introduced his own ideas at Mainz. His teams often line up in a 3-5-2, with two forwards of different profiles—one stronger physically and the other more focused on pace. Under his leadership, Mainz are aiming to keep the ball more calmly and control the flow of matches better. Their pre-season brought good results. The team went unbeaten in friendlies, defeating Kaiserslautern, Holstein Kiel, Paris FC and Bournemouth, among others.

Amiri remains the leader

One of the most important decisions ahead of the new season was keeping hold of Nadiem Amiri. The midfielder was Mainz’s best player in the previous campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in the Bundesliga. The 29-year-old is also one of the team’s leaders and often serves as captain.

His importance could be even greater in Fischer’s system. Amiri can do the work in midfield but also regularly gets forward and closer to the opposition goal. Kaishu Sano, Jae-sung Lee and Paul Nebel have also stayed at Mainz, giving the coach midfielders with different profiles to choose from. Despite interest from other clubs, Japanese midfielder Sano decided to remain in Mainz over the summer.

Gruber and Posch strengthen the defence

The most significant new arrival in defence is Fabio Gruber. The 23-year-old centre-back joined from 1. FC Nürnberg, where he was captain. Last season, he stood out not only in defensive duels but also in building play from the back. His ability on the ball fits the way Fischer wants his team to play.

Stefan Posch has also joined Mainz on a permanent basis. The Austrian spent the second half of the previous season at the club on loan, and his strong performances convinced the board to sign him permanently. He can play at centre-back or on the right, giving Fischer another option for rotation.

Königsdörffer adds options in attack

The attack has also been strengthened. Ransford Königsdörffer was signed from Hamburg. The 24-year-old Ghana international made 33 Bundesliga appearances last season and scored five goals. His pace and physical attributes should suit Fischer’s approach well.

Benedict Hollerbach, Phillip Tietz and Silas Katompa Mvumpa have all stayed with the team. Mainz have also kept Sheraldo Becker and Sota Kawasaki, turning their previous loan deals into permanent transfers. Eric Martel has joined the midfield, adding competition for the defensive midfield position.

Mainz want to avoid a repeat

For Fischer, the 2026/2027 season will be a test of whether the improvement in results during the second half of the previous campaign can be sustained over a full season. Keeping Amiri, strengthening the defence and signing Königsdörffer give him more options. Now they need to turn those options into consistent points from the opening rounds.