Due to the team’s poor performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Germany’s longtime manager Joachim Low resigned from his position last year.
With Germany’s impressive track record at the World Cup, Hansi Flick has instilled a sense of hope in his team as they prepare for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Germany is one of the most consistent national teams in World Cup history, having won in 2014 in addition to reaching the semifinals twice and finishing as runners-up once since 2002 (despite being eliminated in the group stages in Russia).
Flick will feel optimistic in fixing the damage of 2018 because to a well-rounded roster that has a seasoned core and some of Europe’s most intriguing young players, despite the fact that late injuries to top stars Timo Werner and Marco Reus have complicated matters.
𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐘 🇩🇪
Here it is – our 26-man squad for the 2022 @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar 🏆 pic.twitter.com/U3KGoU5lnz
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 10, 2022
Germany World Cup squad 2022
It was a case of big names missing out through injury as Flick announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
For a while it had been known that Leipzig forward Werner would miss the showpiece event with an ankle injury but news of Dortmund’s Reus also missing the tournament caused a sense of sadness amongst German ranks and supporters alike.
Wonder kid Florian Wirtz also missed out after failing to recover from injury in time and there was no place for decorated centre back Mats Hummels.
There is however a surprise inclusion in the form of midfielder Mario Gotze who hasn’t played for the German national team since 2017.
The World Cup winning goalscorer in 2014 has enjoyed some exceptional form in recent seasons, at PSV, and now with Eintracht Frankfurt, and Flick views him as the perfect replacement for Reus.
World Cup Group E fixtures and match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Germany vs. Japan | 8 a.m. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain vs. Costa Rica | 11 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Japan vs. Costa Rica | 5 a.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Spain vs. Germany | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Japan vs. Spain | 2 p.m. | Khalifa Int’l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Costa Rica vs. Germany | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
Germany vs. Japan squad, lineup
Despite missing the final round of UEFA Nations League games, captain Ter Stegen will return as first choice, as a key voice in Flick’s squad.
Rudiger will also come back in, to partner Niklas Sule in central defence, with attacking left-back Robin Gosens a possible option if Flick wants to start on the front foot.
Flick can do without Goretzka in the opening game, with an exciting Bayern inspired trio of Gnabry, Sane and Jamal Musiala, behind either Muller or Havertz.
Germany projected starting XI vs Japan
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Defenders: Thilo Kehrer — Niklas Sule — Antonio Rudiger — David Raum
Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich — Ilkay Gundogan
Attacking Mids: Serge Gnabry — Jamal Musiala — Leroy Sane
Forward: Kai Havertz
