On the day of the opening of the World Cup in Qatar, the tension and anticipation in the circle of the German national soccer team also increases. “You can’t wait for it to start. We’re all a bit more tense,” said Bayern professional Serge Gnabry in Al-Shamal.
The German players have to wait until Wednesday (2 p.m. / ARD and MagentaTV) before they start the World Cup against Japan in Doha. Other group opponents are Spain and Costa Rica. “We’re extremely happy,” said the in-form Gnabry, who is expected to be in the starting eleven from Hansi Flick.
“You can feel the tension. Now things are getting tough,” said defender Thilo Kehrer a few hours before the opening match between World Cup hosts Qatar and Ecuador. In the largely secret training sessions, the intensity is now a tad higher, reported Gnabry. In the fight for the starting eleven, it’s “all in”. The DFB squad includes 26 players, but only eleven can start against Japan. “The national coach decides,” said Kehrer.
The West Ham United professional, who can be used in all four positions in the back line, is considered the first option for the right side. In the 16 international matches under Flick so far, the 25-year-old has played the longest with 1176 minutes, followed by Bayern professional Joshua Kimmich (996).
Before Japan game: Overnight stay in Doha
The DFB players do not spend the night before their World Cup opening match in their team quarters in northern Qatar, but in the capital Doha, a good 100 kilometers away. “It’s important to get into a rhythm with the processes,” said DFB director Oliver Bierhoff. The DFB selection will therefore start the hour-long bus ride to Doha on Tuesday after the final training session at the Al-Shamal Stadium and lunch at the Zulal Wellness Resort.
In the media center there, national coach Flick will give the latest information about the first group game on Wednesday in the late afternoon together with a player at the press conference. You will then spend the night in a hotel in Doha. The game will take place at the Chalifa International Stadium.
Preparation is different for the following group games against Spain (8 p.m. / ZDF and MagentaTV) on November 27 and four days later against Costa Rica (8 p.m. / ARD and MagentaTV). Only on the day of the match does the DFB entourage set out for the Al-Bait Stadium in Al-Khour, which is about halfway towards Doha. As usual, the overnight stay before the games will be in the Zulal Wellness Resort.
