VfB Stuttgart aims to defend their DFB-Pokal title against Bayern Munich, who seek to end a six-year trophy drought. Both teams are preparing for a highly anticipated final in Berlin.
Key points
VfB Stuttgart is the reigning DFB-Pokal champion.
Bayern Munich seeks to end a six-year trophy drought.
Stuttgart has won the DFB-Pokal four times in total.
The final will take place in Berlin.
Stuttgart players feel like underdogs but are determined to compete.
Mentioned in this story
Christoph FreundFabian WohlgemuthAtakan Karazor
VfB StuttgartBayern MunichDFB-Pokal
11 May 2026, Berlin: Soccer: DFB Cup, handover ceremony before the final match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart. (l-r) Christoph Freund, sports director at FC Bayern and Stuttgart's sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth stand in front of the cup. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Andreas Gora/picture alliance via Getty Images)
11 May 2026, Berlin: Soccer: DFB Cup, handover ceremony before the final match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart. (l-r) Christoph Freund, sports director at FC Bayern and Stuttgart's sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth stand in front of the cup. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to utilize or have utilized photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Andreas Gora/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Bayern Munichās quest to end their DFB-Pokal drought, which stands at nearly six years now, is no secret. For a team that prides itself on dominating German football, the continued failures in Germanyās cup competition has been a source of embarrassment. Reaching the 2025/26 seasonās DFB-Pokal final is a chance for the Bavarians to finally end this wait as they come up against reigning champions VfB Stuttgart.
Reflecting on this long drought, Bayernās sporting director Christoph Freund elaborated on the Bavariansā mindset ahead of the big night:
āBayern havenāt been to Berlin for a long time. Now weāre there and we want to take the trophy home,ā Freund declared, as captured by . āWe couldnāt have gotten a more difficult final. VfB are the title holders, theyāre playing really good football and are always there in important games. I was once in Berlin as a spectator. That was Bayern against . Everything is much bigger, itās a magical night. It will certainly be a very special night.ā
Stuttgart know just how special the night is. While the DFB Pokal has been a source of repeated embarrassment for Bayern, it has been a source of extreme pride for other teams. The prime example of this was Stuttgart, as *Die SchwƤben* overcame last seasonās surprise package Arminia Bielefeld to win the 2024/25 edition of the Pokal. It was the fourth time in their history and first time in 28 years that they had lifted the trophy. It was the perfect end to an imperfect 2024/25 season and sparked incredible celebrations, which included a parade through the streets, a ceremony and a gathering of around 50,000 overjoyed fans.
Stuttgart will look to repeat their heroic of last season, but, this time, they will do so not against a third division side (with all due respect to how impressive Bielefeldās run was) but against *Die Rekordmeister*, who are desperate to end the season on a high and recapture the trophy. Accordingly, they realize who are the favorites but know their strength as reigning champions:
Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth: āOn paper, the favourites are clear, but I still think we have a chance. We want to experience what we did last year again.ā
Stuttgart captain : āBayern are simply the best team in Germany and one of the best teams in the world, we know that. And thatās how weāll approach the game. We feel like the underdogs. But we want to give Bayern a hard time ā and weāve beaten them before.ā
Who will come out on top? The resurgent Stuttgart who have prevailed against the odds so many times over the years? Or the dominant Bayern, who have blitzed record after record in this ridiculous season? Recent encounters certainly favor Bayern, but the cup competition is a beast of itsā own.
*If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on , , , or any leading podcast distributorā¦*
Q&A
What is the significance of the DFB-Pokal final between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich?
The final is significant as Stuttgart defends their title while Bayern aims to end a six-year drought in the competition.
How many times has VfB Stuttgart won the DFB-Pokal?
VfB Stuttgart has won the DFB-Pokal four times, with their most recent victory in the 2024/25 season.
What did Bayern Munich's sporting director say about the final?
Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund emphasized the importance of the final, stating they want to take the trophy home after a long absence from Berlin.
How do VfB Stuttgart players view their chances against Bayern Munich?
Stuttgart players acknowledge Bayern's strength but believe they have a chance, feeling motivated as underdogs after previously beating them.
Related Articles
Sports
Marquette Menās Basketball Hires Rodney Crawford As Assistant Coach
Yahoo SportsĀ·
Sports
Why Broncos parted ways with Deuce Vaughn despite similarities to a Sean Payton favorite
Yahoo SportsĀ·
Sports
A.J. Ewing provides a boost in his MLB debut, leading the Mets to a 10-2 win over the Tigers
Yahoo SportsĀ·
Sports
Bill Belichick under fire for 'tarnishing the reputation' of UNC with failure to control players
Yahoo SportsĀ·
Sports
Vikings reportedly request interview with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew
Yahoo SportsĀ·
Sports
Vikings reportedly request interview with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew