Germany boss Hansi Flick has announced his 26-man squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, HITC Football has looked into what his best XI is with Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala.
The 22nd edition of the quadrennial FIFA competition is Flick’s first major tournament with Die Mannschaft. He took over the helm from 2014 World Cup-winning coach Joachim Low in 2021. His predecessor stepped down following their last 16 exit at Euro 2020 to England.
Germany will try to be far stronger in Qatar under Flick than with Low at Russia 2018. They crashed out of the last World Cup bottom of Group F after winning just one of three ties as the reigning champions. Mexico and South Korea stunned Die Mannschaft to win their ties.
Flick announces Germany’s 2022 World Cup squad with a debut call-up for Moukoko
The German Football Association (DFB) has announced this Thursday Flick’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It is the first of FIFA’s quadrennial tournaments yet to be held in the Middle East and has also returned a first senior call-up for Youssoufa Moukoko.
Flick suffered a major setback ahead of confirming his side after an ankle injury ruled Timo Werner out. The £25.5m RB Leipzig forward was set to be Die Mannschaft’s primary striker in Qatar. Now, Flick is taking 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Moukoko instead.
The teenager turns 18 on November 20, the day Qatar meet Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup. Germany start their Group E campaign against Japan on the 23rd, then face Spain in the headline first-round fixture on the 27th and Costa Rica on December 1.
Flick’s 26-man Germany squad in full ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Flick will take three goalkeepers to Qatar in the hope of drawing Germany level with Brazil on a record five World Cup titles. He has also named nine defenders, eight midfielders and six attackers. But a majority of Die Mannschaft’s midfield and forward players interchange.
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United), Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter, Christian Gunter (SC Freiburg), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund), Lukas Klosterman, David Raum (RB Leipzig)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Karim Adeyemi, Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
So, with Flick now announcing his 26-man Germany squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, HITC Football has taken a look at what Die Mannschaft’s best XI will be at the tournament.
Manuel Neuer (GK): The Germany captain is off to his fourth World Cup
Neuer is off to a fourth World Cup after representing Germany at South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. He also captained his nation four years ago after taking up the role following Philip Lahm retiring. The full-back bowed out after lifting the World Cup in 2014.
Thilo Kehrer (RB): Flick is taking a versatile West Ham star to Qatar
Flick is taking a versatile West Ham star to Qatar by naming Kehrer in his World Cup squad. The 26-year-old had often featured for his country at right-back since debuting under Low in 2018. But the 22-cap enforcer also offers a quality option at centre-half and on the left.
Antonio Rudiger (CB): The Real Madrid ace is finally set to star for Germany
Rudiger is finally set to star for Germany on the World Cup stage at Qatar 2022. Low left the centre-half at home in 2014 and only fielded the 29-year-old once in 2018. Yet Rudiger has grown to be a commanding defensive presence whom Real Madrid pay £315k-a-week.
Nico Schlotterbeck (CB): The Borussia Dortmund star is Germany’s best on the left
Schlotterbeck is Germany’s best left-sided centre-half and will offer Flick a strong presence in either box. He also has an eye for goal and can step out of a three or four-man backline to carry possession. Aspects that Flick admires so gave the five-cap ace his bow in March.
David Raum (LB): Flick found his first-choice full-back last September
Flick found his first-choice left-back when he gave Raum his Germany debut in September 2021. The 24-year-old has so far started nine of his 11 appearances over 13 games. He has also laid on two assists and is a versatile presence able to occupy any area on the left side.
Joshua Kimmich (CDM): Flick has a complete player in the midfielder
Germany posses a complete player in Kimmich with the midfielder’s intelligence and skill in the elite bracket. He has a wonderful passing range, is an excellent defender and can hit amazing goals. Pep Guardiola said he has ‘absolutely everything’ while at Bayern Munich.
Ilkay Gundogan (CDM): The Manchester City captain will try to pull the strings
Manchester City captain Gundogan will look to pull the strings for Germany at the 2022 World Cup. He has cemented himself in an instrumental role under Flick for his efforts in deep-lying areas. The 62-cap 32-year-old also offers a goal threat for his club and country.
Serge Gnabry (RM): The Bayern Munich forward is off to his first World Cup
Gnabry is going to his first World Cup after making Germany’s squad for Qatar 2022. The Bayern Munich forward made his Mannschaft debut in 2016 and boasts 20 goals plus eight assists through 36 caps. But he missed a seat out on the plane to Russia with a thigh injury.
Jamal Musiala (CAM): The German could win the Best Young Player award
Musiala will head for Qatar 2022 as a favourite to win the Best Young Player award at the World Cup. The 19-year-old already has 17 caps for his country and Flick named him in his plans after scoring 12 and assisting eight goals in 21 Bayern Munich games so far this term.
Leroy Sane (LM): Flick has not repeated Low’s 2018 error with this call-up
Low did himself no favours in 2018 when he opted against taking Sane to the World Cup in Russia. Flick has not repeated that error for the Qatar edition and will now hope to see the 47-cap ace deliver the same lethal, dynamic threat for Germany as he is at Bayern Munich.
Thomas Muller (ST): Werner’s injury could force Flick to rethink his plans
Werner’s injury may make Flick rethink his plans with Germany without a recognised first-choice striker. Leading the line for his nation at a World Cup may be a bit too much to ask of Moukoko. But Germany also have the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot winner in Muller.
Muller was one of four players with Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa to score five goals in South Africa. The 2010 edition was the 33-year-old’s first of, now, four World Cups. He only made his debut for Germany the March before flying down to South Africa.
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