Germany manager Hansi Flick named his 26-man roster for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Normally a heavyweight in international soccer, the Germans are currently 11th in the latest FIFA team rankings. Nevertheless, the four-time World Cup champions have named a star-studded squad for the upcoming tournament.
Captain Manuel Neuer makes his fourth World Cup appearance. The goalkeeper previously lifted the illustrious trophy for Germany in 2014. He played every possible minute during the triumph that summer. Neuer has racked up 113 senior appearances with the German national team.
The number one goalkeeper is not along in those coming from Bayern Munich. Teammates Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller are on the plane to Qatar. Moreover, all six expect significant time on the pitch for Flick’s side.
Talented World Cup teams like Germany also, however, have some very notable absentees. Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Bayern Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah both miss out on the trip to Qatar. Hummels was previously a mainstay in the middle of Germany’s defense. Tah, on the other hand, has 16 caps for his country.
Flick omitted Marco Reus and Timo Werner from the squad. Yet, they have different reasons from Hummels and Tah. Both picked up injuries this season that keep them on the sidelines through the competition. Flick likely includes both Reus and Werner if they are healthy.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises was the inclusion of Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko. Although widely considered to be one of the top prospects in Europe, the striker is just 17 years old.
Germany will compete in Group E of the 2022 World Cup alongside Japan, Spain, and Costa Rica.
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Defenders: Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Antonio Ruediger (Real Madrid), Niklas Suele (Borussia Dortmund), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Christian Guenter (Freiburg).
Midfielders: Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller (all Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Goetze (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Strikers: Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Fuellkrug (Werder Bremen), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund).
PHOTO: IMAGO / Avanti
