analysis
The games in the Nations League were primarily a test run for the World Cup in Qatar. Most of the DFB squad should be standing.
According to the current regulations, 23 players, including three goalkeepers, are allowed per team for the football World Cup in Qatar. However, due to the continuing raging pandemic, 26 players may be named again – as at EURO 2020 and now at the Nations League.
In the case of the German national team, that should be pretty irrelevant, because national coach Hansi Flick has already found his framework of 17, 18 players. Behind it is about filling up the squad of the DFB team without causing trouble.
DFB team: Neuer and Rüdiger are set
The record before the summer break: Manuel Neuer is simply the best in goal. Therefore, he will also be in goal in Qatar. Marc-André der Stegen was allowed to go to the Nations League without, but he will be there in Qatar, probably Kevin Trapp too.
Defense: Antonio Rüdiger is the boss. Niklas Süle can be sure of his place in the squad. Nico Schlotterbeck showed weaknesses, especially in the game in Hungary. However, should he form the central defender duo in Dortmund together with Süle, he will probably also travel to the World Cup. A Jonathan Tah who is with the Nations League was there, it would certainly be easier to teach, in contrast to world champion Matthias Ginter, that he hardly has a chance of being used.
The candidates for the full-backs
As for the full-backs, who come into question for the left flank, David Raum confirmed his class in the offensive. He showed weaknesses on the defensive, but there is currently no better candidate. Robin Gosens could be one, but then he would have to play regularly again at Inter Milan – or at another club.
Anton Stach, Christian Günter and Benjamin Henrichs can at least hope for a place in the squad in defence.
At the right end of the back four, Lukas Klostermann should have a slight advantage over Thilo Kehrer in terms of the starting XI. If no one else plays in the foreground in the new season, both have very good chances of a place in the squad.
The central midfield around Kimmich, Gündogan and Goretzka
Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gündogan and Leon Goretzka are definitely there for central midfield.
Thanks to their achievements in Nations League Jamal Musiala and Jonas Hofmann are very likely to have booked a flight to the World Cup. Depending on the situation, Serge Gnabry will also be there. As the national coach proved in the first half of June, he trusts Leroy Sané, although he initially paid very little back. This trust will probably extend to the squad nomination.
The attacking midfield and the “nine”
In the center of the attacking midfield, Kai Havertz, who can also play in the front line, and Thomas Müller have their places secure. Timo Werner suffocated all discussions with his two goals against Italy. Whether he belongs in the starting eleven and there in the position of the “nine” is still the question. He will definitely be in Qatar.
Since Lukas Nmecha is most likely a center forward, he has better squad chances than Julian Brandt and Marco Reus. For Karim Adeyemi, a lot will depend on his first few months at Dortmund.
The shaky candidates in the DFB team
Florian Wirtz has little chance of getting fit in time after his cruciate ligament tear.
As candidates who are not in the squad of Nations League were, but still have little chance of a squad place, are Julian Draxler, Ridle Baku, Robin Koch, Jonathan Burkhardt, Mahmoud Dahoud, Florian Neuhaus and Kevin Volland.