2022 FIFA World Cup Team Previews: Germany
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away from kicking off in Qatar. Over the next 32 days, I will be previewing each team that will be taking part in the world’s most-watched event. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Germany.
After an extremely disappointing World Cup four years ago when Germany went out in the group stage as the defending champions, “Die Mannschaft” or “The Team” will be looking for redemption in Qatar. Germany has a new generation of players for the 2022 World Cup that have a great chance to get out of the “Group of Death” that is Group E.
Since the start of 2020, Germany has lost just five times including losses to England and France in the 2020 European Championships. Against North Macedonia, we saw Germany lose for the first time in World Cup Qualifying since 2001 ending a 35-match unbeaten streak.
World Cup Appearances
Just twice has Germany not been in a World Cup. They failed to qualify for the first World Cup in 1930 and were banned from participating in the 1950 World Cup which was the first following the end of World War II. In the other 19 World Cups, “Die Mannschaft” has been a part of the tournament. The 2022 World Cup will be their 20th appearance, the second most of any nation trailing only Brazil.
Best Finish at a World Cup
Germany trails only Brazil in World Cup appearances and World Cup titles. The nation has lifted the World Cup Trophy four times, with the first time coming in 1954. In the 1954 final, Germany beat Hungary 3-2. 20 years later, Germany won it all again by beating the Netherlands 2-1 while hosting the 1974 World Cup. After losing two straight finals, Germany won their third World Cup title in 1990 beating Argentina 1-0 courtesy of an 85th-minute penalty. The most recent title for “Die Mannschaft” came in 2014 when they once again beat Argentina 1-0.
Key players
The German team that will be competing in the 2022 World Cup will look very different from those of the past. There are only three players from the 2014 World Cup-winning side that could be going to Qatar. Those are goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer, forward Thomas Müller and defender Matthias Ginter.
Without the likes of Toni Kroos and Mesut Özil in midfield, “Die Mannschaft” will turn to İlkay Gündoğan and Joshua Kimmich to control the center of the pitch. In attack, Germany will be without striker Timo Werner who picked up an injury this past week, instead relying on Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané. The defense is by far the weakest position for “Die Mannschaft” with only Ginter, Antonio Rüdiger and Niklas Süle having made more than 25 appearances. This is a major change since it has been the German defense that has been incredible in years past.
Manager
After losing to England in the 2020 Euros, Joachim Löw stepped down as the German manager after 15 years in charge and was replaced by former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. At Bayern Munich, Flick won the treble during the 2019-20 season and was named the UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year in his first season.
Biggest Group Game – vs. Spain on Nov. 27
Two of the sport’s greatest teams meet off in a clash of giants. Both teams are more than capable of winning this match, but the real winners are the fans who get this great match in the group stage. This is by far the biggest group-stage match in the 2022 World Cup and should be a joy to watch.
In all likelihood, the winner of this match will end up winning Group E. Unfortunately for Germany, they have beaten Spain just once over the last seven meetings. That win came in 2014 and finished 1-0 thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Kroos.
Prediction
The winner of Germany vs. Spain will win the group and sadly for German fans, this will be Spain. As runners-up of Group E, “Die Mannschaft” will play the winners of Group F which should be Belgium. For the second major tournament in a row, Germany will be eliminated in the Round of 16. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup being the first for Germany’s new generation, inexperience on this stage will be their downfall.
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