FIFA World Cup 2022: Mario Gotze makes surprise return as Germany announced 26-man squad for World Cup

Four-time FIFA World Cup champions Germany have announced a strong 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup.

After their dismal performance in the previous World Cup in Russia where they finished last in their group under Joachim Löw, current coach Hansi Flick will be looking to make a strong statement this time around.

Flick surprised many when he named Mario Götze, their 2014 World Cup hero in the squad along with other stars including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Leroy Sane, Kai Havertz to name a few.

Germany World Cup Squad:

Goal keepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Defenders: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Christian Günter (SC Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund), Niklas Süle (Dortmund)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz(Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Dortmund), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen)

Germany are placed in Group E along with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica. The Germans open their World Cup Campaign on November 23 against Japan.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: England announce FIFA World Cup squad, several key players missing