How Germany’s World Cup squad is expected to look
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
With Germany’s World Cup squad set to be officially announced on Thursday, the majority of the team has already been leaked in the media.
Below is a look at how Germany’s 26-man team could shape up based on the reports so far.
Goalkeepers
Provided the injury he suffered against 1. FC Köln last week is not serious, Manuel Neuer is expected to be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament.
According to Bild and Sky Germany, Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim) and Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart, on loan from FC Bayern) will also be included in the squad. Bayern Munich’s Jonas Urbig (FC Bayern), meanwhile, is expected to travel with the DFB team to help out in training, but will most likely not be eligible to play.
Defenders
Bild reported on Wednesday that four centre-backs have received call-ups: Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger and Borussia Dortmund duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton.
Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown will also be part of the squad, according to both Sky and Bild.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern), who is set to operate at right-back at the tournament, also looks certain to be included, as does RB Leipzig captain David Raum, who is expected to start at left-back.
Midfielders
It was reported on Tuesday that Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha and VfB Stuttgart duo Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling have all been included in the squad.
Youngsters Lennart Karl (FC Bayern) and Said El Mala (1. FC Köln) have also reportedly received call-ups from Julian Nagelsmann.
Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Aleksandar Pavlović are all fully expected to make the squad as well.
Strikers
According to reports, Kai Havertz (Arsenal) and Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart) have both been informed that they are part of the squad.
Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United) has not yet been mentioned in reports, but is expected to be included.
Who will get the remaining places? And who will miss out?
Based on the information above, only a few spots appear to remain open, with players such as Matthias Ginter, Malick Thiaw, Leroy Sané, Pascal Groß, Tom Bischof, Kevin Schade, Assan Ouédraogo, Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi in contention for the remaining places.
According to reports in the German media, the following players aren't expected to make Germany’s World Cup squad: Noah Atubolu, Finn Dahmen, Robin Koch, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Josha Vagnoman, Yann Aurel Bisseck, Robert Andrich, Chris Führich and Niclas Füllkrug.
