Germany’s provisional World Cup squad revealed

By Andrew Lord

27 October 2022

Mario Götze of Eintracht Frankfurt has been given the opportunity to resurrect his international career after his inclusion in Hansi Flick’s 44-player provisional World Cup squad, which was revealed by German tabloid Bild this week. Alongside Götze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, the list includes 17-year-old Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko and Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich.

Two surprise nominations include Union Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira, brother of 2014 World Cup winner Sami Khedira, and his teammate Robin Knoche, who have been rewarded for their performances this season. Union Berlin are currently top of the table, one point ahead of reigning champions Bayern Munich.

Knoche told German TV channel Sky Sport that he has booked a winter holiday with his wife after the couple welcomed a new addition to the family in the summer, but he would be delighted to cancel the trip and travel to Qatar instead.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen is also on the list, although the attacking midfielder is currently sidelined with a ruptured cruciate ligament. Wirtz is unlikely to be fit in time for the World Cup in Qatar, but Hansi Flick clearly wants to give the highly rated 19-year-old every chance. But there is no place for Julian Draxler. The 29-year-old, currently on loan to Benfica from Paris St. Germain, is not included on the list.

The provisional squad also includes Christoph Kramer, which means the Borussia Mönchengladbach defensive midfielder will either travel to Qatar as a player or as an expert for German television channel ZDF.

The list includes seven Bayern Munich players, with eight representing Borussia Dortmund. Four players represent German Cup winners RB Leipzig. Eight of the squad play abroad, including Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Real Madrid centre back Antonio Rüdiger. Five of the provisional squad ply their trade in the English Premier League.

Tough decisions ahead

Flick, who had the opportunity to nominate up to 55 players, now has the task of whittling his squad down to 26 players, with the definitive list to be submitted to FIFA on November 10.

It will not be an easy task for the German trainer as he must make a series of crunch decisions. It has been reported that he would like to take four goalkeepers as opposed to the customary three, which would mean relinquishing an outfield position.

The following players are almost certain to make the final squad, injuries permitting: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Lukas Klostermann, Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gündogan, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Thomas Müller, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

This would leave just eleven remaining places with David Raum, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels, Benjamin Henrichs, Jamal Musiala, Jonas Hofmann, Mario Götze, Marco Reus, Karim Adeyemi, Youssoufa Moukoko and Lukas Nmecha amongst the main contenders.

In the Nations league, Germany finished in third place in Group 3 of League A, behind Italy and Hungary, but ahead of England. Germany won just one of their six games, a 5-2 victory over Italy. The low point was a 1-0 defeat to Hungary at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. In the final group game against England at Wembley Stadium, Germany squandered a 2-0 lead in a second half which produced six goals. Kai Havertz rescued Germany with a late equaliser as honours were shared in a 3-3 draw.

Germany will play just one game before the World Cup begins, a friendly against Oman on November 16.

Germany’s opponents in Group E are Japan, Spain and Costa Rica. Germany will face Japan on November 23 and play Spain four days later. The final group game against Costa Rica takes place on December 1. Possible opponents in the knock-out stage are Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia.

The provisional squad in full

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Bernd Leno (Fulham)

Defenders: Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Robin Gosens (Inter Milan), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Robin Koch (Leeds United), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), Robin Knoche (Union Berlin), Christian Günter (SC Freiburg), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Luca Netz (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Maximilian Arnold (VfL Wolfsburg), Julian Weigl (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Anton Stach (FSV Mainz 05), Ran Khedira (Union Berlin)

Forwards: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Kai Havertz (FC Chelsea), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Lukas Nmecha (VfL Wolfsburg), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund)

At the 2018 World Cup, Germany were eliminated at the group stage, finishing bottom of the table with just three points after losing to Mexico and South Korea. Three years later, at the delayed 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, Germany were eliminated by England in the Round of 16.