A larger squad, more flexibility: National coach Hansi Flick will have more leeway when nominating the squad for the World Cup in Qatar. World governing body FIFA increased the permitted squad size for the desert tournament from 23 players to 26 on Thursday.
The executive committee justified the decision with the special time of the World Cup in the global calendar (November 21 to December 18) and the effects of the corona pandemic on the squad before and during the tournament. November 13th was set as the last match day at club level for the World Cup players.
The German national team starts ten days later in the World Cup. In the Khalifa International Stadium, the DFB-Elf meets Japan in the first round match. Other group opponents are Spain and Costa Rica.