Germany's Bundesliga lost some big names during the summer transfer window, but it remains a breeding ground for top talent heading to the World Cup finals.
This article was originally published on 22 September 2022
The German national team won the World Cup back in 2014 and most of Die Mannschaft's biggest stars still ply their trade in their home country, which also attracts some of the finest players from overseas.
Selected in a 4-3-3 formation, here is our view on the best XI of Bundesliga players heading to Qatar for this year's winter World Cup.
| What | World Cup |
| Where | Qatar |
| When | 20th November - 18th December 2022 |
| How to watch | All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV |
| Odds | Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1 |
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Sweeper-keeper Neuer is regarded not only as one of Germany's best shot-stoppers of all-time, but also as one of the best goalkeepers the world has ever seen.
The Bayern Munich star won the Golden Glove when Germany claimed the World Cup in 2014 and, at the age of 36, he shows no signs of slowing down.
With Neuer between the sticks, Bayern conceded only 37 league goals last season and no goalkeeper has kept more Bundesliga clean sheets than the former Schalke man.
The captain of this hypothetical side, he will be key to the chances of Germany, who are 10/1 to win the World Cup and 11/10 to top Group E.
Right-back: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich and France)
Pavard has had to battle with summer signing Noussair Mazraoui for the right-back spot in the Bayern Munich team this season, but the Frenchman has still been racking up the appearances for the Bavarians.
And while Mazraoui is on the fringes of the Morocco first team because of Achraf Hakimi, Pavard is a reliable regular for Les Bleus, having played a key part in their 2018 World Cup triumph with his strike against Argentina in the last-16 considered one of the goals of the tournament.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund and Germany)
One of the brightest young players in the Bundesliga right now, Schlotterbeck was an integral member of the Freiburg team which finished sixth last season before moving to Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
The 22-year-old is the future bedrock of the German national team and is comfortable playing in a back four or as part of a back three.
Centre-back: Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen and Ecuador)
Ecuador international Hincapie's inclusion in this team could raise a few eyebrows, but Bundesliga fanatics will know exactly why he makes the side.
The left-footed centre-back, who can also operate at left-back, is quick and agile with a fine eye for a pass and was recently nominated for this year's Golden Boy award.
Bayer Leverkusen achieved a third-placed finish in last season's Bundesliga and Hincapie played a crucial part in that, making 27 appearances in the German top-flight.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich and Canada)
Canada are preparing for only their second ever World Cup finals appearance and there is no debating who is the most prominent member of their squad.
Considered one of the best left wing-backs in the world, Davies already has four Bundesliga titles and one Champions League success to his name at the age of 21.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps man will be crucial to Canada's cause this winter as they try to get out of a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
Central midfield: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund and England)
Consistently linked with a mega-money move back home, Bellingham is perhaps the best young player in the Bundesliga right now and there will surely be uproar if the 19-year-old does not play a big part in Gareth Southgate's England plans this winter.
Likely to play alongside Declan Rice in the Three Lions midfield, Bellingham is an explosive and hard-working talent who can offer great cover at the back or get things going in the final third.
Central midfield: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Anchoring the midfield alongside Bellingham is one of the finest players in world football in Bayern Munich star Kimmich.
Since joining from Leipzig back in 2015, Kimmich has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for the Bavarians, winning seven Bundesliga titles.
When Germany clash with Spain in Group E's biggest contest, Kimmich's ability to dictate the tempo of a game will be key against a star-studded La Roja midfield.
Attacking midfield: Daicha Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt and Japan)
Japan are 4/1 to get out of Group E - considered one of the toughest sections at this year's World Cup with Spain, Germany and Costa Rica completing it - and they will be looking to Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Kamada for some moments of magic.
Also able to play further forward, Kamada struck five goals to help Frankfurt win the Europa League last term and he could operate even further up the field for the Blue Samurai, who have been lacking in the final third.
Right winger: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig and France)
Breaking into the current France squad is no easy feat, but versatile Leipzig talent Nkunku, who can play on the wing, in midfield, or as a centre-forward, could show his class for Les Bleus in Qatar.
France are 6/1 to defend their title at this year's World Cup and Nkunku can take some pressure off main men Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema up top, having bagged 20 Bundesliga goals for the Red Bulls last season.
Striker: Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin and USA)
With Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski both departing the Bundesliga in the last transfer window, the competition to be the best striker in Germany has opened up and Pefok has already staked his claim for that label.
Otherwise known as Siebatcheu, the 26-year-old struck 27 goals in all competitions in his final season for Young Boys before moving to Union Berlin, who he has helped propel into contention for the European places and maybe more.
The USA, who are 11/2 to top a group also containing England, Wales and Iran, have been after a star striker for some time and Pefok could fit the bill.
Left winger: Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich and Senegal)
Last but by no means least is Senegalese superstar Mane, who already looks right at home in the Bundesliga since joining Bayern Munich from Liverpool in the summer.
The 30-year-old managed 90 goals in 196 Premier League appearances for the Reds, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League, and he will be the poster boy for Senegal's World Cup campaign.
Earlier this year Mane helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations and they are 9/2 to finish ahead of the Netherlands, Ecuador and Qatar in Group A.
