Spain vs Germany World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group E match at Qatar 2022

Toby Miles

Spain vs Germany World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group E match at Qatar 2022 image

The 2010 World Cup winners face the 2014 champions as Spain aim to send Germany packing after just two matches in Qatar. 

This heavyweight showdown was a mouth-watering prospect even before the tournament began, but Germany's shock defeat to Japan has raised the stakes. 

Spain routed Costa Rica 7-0 in their last match — surely striking fear into the Germans.

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams.

MORE: How to watch Spain vs. Germany? TV channel and live stream

Spain vs Germany lineups

Hansi Flick's side simply must not lose this match. The reaction back in Germany to consecutive group-stages exits would be unthinkable.

"It feels like a first final for us at the World Cup," Flick told journalists ahead of the Spain game. "We will see a team who know what is at stake — a team that will do everything they can in order to make sure that we still have a chance of reaching the Round of 16."

Flick's team is unlikely to see many changes, while Spain coach Luis Enrique is known for his tinkering. 

"As a rule, I don't usually repeat 11s," the former Barcelona coach said. "I’m not worried, but there’s several positions I still have to decide.

"That shows the quality we have in our squad. I will wait for our final training session and sleep on it for one more night."

Spain starting 11

Spain (4-3-3, right to left): 23. Simon (GK) — 20. Carvajal, 16. Rodri, 24. Laporte, 18. Alba — 9. Gavi, 5. Busquets, 26. Pedri — 11. Torres, 10-Asensio, 21. Olmo

  • Injured: Guillamon
  • Suspended: None

Dani Carvajal missed the opening match after catching a cold, which was reportedly blamed on the air conditioning in Spain's hotel. The Real Madrid man comes in for Cesar Azpilicueta.

Midfielder Rodri played at centreback against Costa Rica and retains his place alongside Aymeric Laporte against a talent-stacked Germany forward line.

Germany starting 11

Germany (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Neuer (GK) — 5. Kehrer, 15. Sule, 2. Rudiger, 3. Raum — 6. Kimmich, 8. Goretzka, 21. Gundogan — 10. Gnabry, 13. Muller, 14. Musiala

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Leroy Sane is an attacking option Flick will be desperate to have at his disposal against Spain, but if he is involved it will once again be from the bench.

Speaking on the winger's condition, Flick said: "We need to wait and see how Leroy feels after the final training session. He will be able to take part, which is good news."

Sane tore his hamstring in October but managed to recover in time for selection for Qatar. He was an unused substitute for the Japan upset. 

Thilo Kehrer is in at right-back with Niklas Sule shifting inside to partner Antonio Rudiger. Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka is in to bolster the midfield, while Thomas Muller is the pick ahead of Kai Havertz up front.

Spain vs Germany World Cup squads

Here are the names on Spain and Germany's World Cup squads in Qatar (caps correct to start of Qatar 2022):

Spain

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK13David RayaBrentford (ENG)272
GK1Robert Sanchez Brighton (ENG)242
GK23Unai SimonAthletic Bilbao (SPA)2527
DEF18Jordi Alba Barcelona (SPA)3387
DEF15Hugo GuillamonValencia (SPA)223
DEF2Cesar AzpilicuetaChelsea (ENG)3342
DEF20Dani Carvajal Real Madrid (SPA)3031
DEF3Eric GarciaBarcelona (SPA)2119
DEF14Alejandro BaldeBarcelona (SPA)190
DEF24Aymeric LaporteManchester City (ENG)2816
DEF4Pau TorresVillarreal (SPA)2522
MID5Sergio BusquetsBarcelona (SPA)36146
MID9GaviBarcelona (SPA)1813
MID8KokeAtletico Madrid (SPA)3068
MID6Marcos Llorente Atletico Madrid (SPA) 2717
MID26PedriBarcelona (SPA)1914
MID16RodriManchester City (ENG)2635
MID19Carlos SolerPSG (FRA)2512
FWD21Dani OlmoRB Leipzig (GER)2425
FWD10Marco AsensioReal Madrid (SPA)2630
FWD25Ansu FatiBarcelona (SPA)195
FWD7Alvaro Morata Atletico Madrid (SPA)2957
FWD17Yeremi PinoVillarreal (SPA)207
FWD11Ferran TorresBarcelona (SPA)2231
FWD12Nico WilliamsAthletic Bilbao (SPA)203
FWD22Pablo SarabiaParis Saint-Germain (FRA)3025

Germany

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK1Manuel NeuerBayern Munich (GER)36114
GK22Marc-Andre ter StegenBarcelona (SPA)3030
GK12Kevin TrappEintracht Frankfurt (GER)326
DEF25Armel Bella-KotchapSouthampton (ENG)202
DEF4Mattias GinterSC Freiburg (GER)2847
DEF20Christian GunterFreiburg (GER)297
DEF5Thilo KehrerWest Ham (ENG)2623
DEF16Lukas KlostermannRB Leipzig (GER)2619
DEF3David RaumRB Leipzig (GER)2412
DEF2Antonio RudigerReal Madrid (SPA)2954
DEF23Nico SchlotterbeckBorussia Dortmund (GER)226
DEF15Niklas SuleBorussia Dortmund (GER)2742
MID17Julian BrandtBorussia Dortmund (GER)2639
MID8Leon GoretzkaBayern Munich (GER)2744
MID21Ilkay GundoganManchester City (ENG)3163
MID11Mario GotzeEintracht Frankfurt (GER)3063
MID18Jonas HofmannB. Monchengladbach (GER)3017
MID6Joshua KimmichBayern Munich (GER)2771
MID14Jamal MusialaBayern Munich (GER)1917
MID13Thomas MullerBayern Munich (GER)33118
MID19Leroy SaneBayern Munich (GER)2648
Forward26Youssoufa MoukokoBorussia Dortmund (GER)171
Forward24Karim AdeyemiBorussia Dortmund (GER)204
Forward9Niclas FullkrugWerder Bremen (GER)291
Forward10Serge GnabryBayern Munich (GER)2736
Forward7Kai HavertzChelsea (ENG)2331

Toby Miles

Toby joined Sporting News in 2022 ahead of the World Cup, bringing previous sports writing experience at MailOnline and UEFA. An Englishman and Chelsea fan still fuming about Frank Lampard's 2010 ghost goal but never afraid to say 'It's Coming Home'.