Germany World Cup 2022 squad: Who’s in and who’s out?
Which 26 players has Hansi Flick picked for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
Germany will be looking to make amends for their performances at the 2018 World Cup when they travel to Qatar for this year’s edition of the tournament as they surprisingly finished bottom of the group stage last time around in Russia.
That was then followed up with another underwhelming display at Euro 2020, where England proved to be too strong in the round of 16.
That saw Hansi Flick replace Joachim Low at the helm, with the former Bayern Munich boss desperate to make an impact at his first major tournament as the main man.
The four-time World Cup champions have not been handed an easy draw, though, as they will have to deal with the likes of 2010 champions Spain, Asian powerhouse Japan and Concacaf representative Costa Rica in Group E.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be the man between the sticks in Qatar.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp have been chosen as the backup keepers.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Manuel Neuer | Bayern Munich |
| Kevin Trapp | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Barcelona |
DEFENDERS
Antonio Rudiger is sure to start as one of the centre-backs with Dortmund’s Niklas Sule.
Thilo Kehrer and David Raum will fancy their chances as the main options out wide.
Other options include Matthias Ginter with promising youngster Armel Bella-Kotchap also making a case for himself this season.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid |
| Matthias Ginter | SC Freiburg |
| Thilo Kehrer | West Ham |
| Niklas Sule | Dortmund |
| Armel Bella-Kotchap | Southampton |
| Nico Schlotterbeck | Dortmund |
| Lukas Klostermann | RB Leipzig |
| Christian Gunter | SC Freiburg |
| David Raum | Leipzig |
MIDFIELDERS
Flick has plenty of options in midfield, both when it comes to defensive-minded players and more creative playmakers.
Joshua Kimmich is a certainty in midfield and the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka and Julian Brandt are also set to compete for starting berths.
Promising youngster Jamal Musiala will add some flair and creativity, while Mario Gotze has returned to the Germany fold after a five-year absence, with the man who scored their winner in the 2014 World Cup final now playing for Eintracht Frankfurt.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich |
| Ilkay Gundogan | Manchester City |
| Leon Goretzka | Bayern Munich |
| Julian Brandt | Dortmund |
| Jonas Hofmann | Borussia Monchengladbach |
| Mario Gotze | Eintracht Frankfurt |
ATTACKERS
Germany have plenty of talent to pick from up top as well.
Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry have been called up.
Leroy Sane endured a bit of a scare after picking up a muscular problem, but returned to match action in Bayern’s 3-2 win over Hertha and will board the flight to Qatar.
Then there’s an up-and-coming talent like Karim Adeyemi and Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, who will hope to land his first senior cap at the World Cup.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Kai Havertz | Chelsea |
| Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich |
| Thomas Muller | Bayern Munich |
| Leroy Sane | Bayern Munich |
| Karim Adeyemi | Dortmund |
| Youssoufa Moukoko | Dortmund |
| Niclas Fullkrug | Werder Bremen |
STRONGEST XI
A 4-2-3-1 system is a familiar sighting with Flick in charge.
It’s more than likely to be Neuer‘s last World Cup in goal as Muller falls in just behind Havertz in attack with Gnabry and Sane attacking from the wings.
Kimmich and Gundogan should provide the defensive stability in front of the centre-back pairing of Sule and Rudiger.
Klostermann slots in at right back, with Hoffenheim’s Raum on the opposite flank.
Germany XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Sane; Havertz
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Timo Werner was dealt a cruel blow when an ankle problem ruled him out of the tournament, particularly after his move to RB Leipzig had seen him rediscover his old form somewhat after a difficult spell with Chelsea.
Dortmund’s Marco Reus also misses out with an ankle injury.
| Player | Club | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Timo Werner | RB Leipzig | Injury |
| Marco Reus | Borussia Dortmund | Injury |
| Matts Hummels | Borussia Dortmund | Tactical |
source: goal.com
