Germany
Group:
E
First Match:
November 23, 2022, 9 PM SGT
Stadium:
Khalifa International Stadium
Joachim Loew, Germany's manager for the previous 15 years, left after their Round of 16 loss to England last summer, marking the latest chapter in a period of transformation for the national team.
Under Hansi Flick's leadership, Germany has won seven straight qualifiers, scored 31 goals, and allowed only two, making them Europe's first side to finally make it to the World Cup later this year.
Three-time European winners and four-time world champions Germany were unceremoniously eliminated from the last World Cup in the Group Stages after suffering defeats to Mexico and South Korea, but they will still be among the favorites this time around.
Key Player: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Kimmich, then just 21, was nominated to the Tournament Team after starring for Germany at Euro 2016. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the national team's starting lineup.
Although he began his career on the right side of the defense, Kimmich now plays more in the center of the field, where his versatility as an attacker and defender on the wings has been put to good use. He is also trophy-savvy, having won the Champions League and seven consecutive league crowns with Bayern Munich.