Bundesliga stars at the World Cup Who else will join James Rodriguez, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski in Russia this summer? vor 2 Stunden

Published on: 19 March 2018

It seems barely fathomable that it’s been nearly four years since Andre Schürrle crossed for Mario Götze to steer past Argentina’s Sergio Romero in the 113th minute of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

Germany will get the defence of their title underway in less than 100 days. Naturally, as the home of the world champions, the Bundesliga will provide more than a few players for Joachim Löw’s squad in Russia.

Who else might be going? James Rodriguez was the top scorer in Brazil for Colombia; Robert Lewandowski plundered a European record 16 goals in qualifying for Poland. bundesliga.com runs the rule over the Germany-based players who could star for countries from every corner of the world…

Mario Götze (l.) wheels away with Thomas Müller (r) after his extra-time volley against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro delivered a fourth FIFA World Cup title for Germany four years ago. © gettyimages / Jamie McDonald Australia

In contention: Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin)

Argentina

In contention: David Abraham (Eintracht Frankfurt), Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen), Santiago Ascacibar (VfB Stuttgart), Franco Di Santo (Schalke), Emiliano Insua (Stuttgart)

A Lionel Messi hat-trick against Ecuador on the final day of CONMEBOL qualifying punched Argentina’s ticket to the tournament at the last. Who will now join him on the plane? Lucas Alario and Emiliano Insua have both been called up in the last year, and the former is in fine form, with a direct hand in seven of Bayer Leverkusen’s last 10 goals.

READ: Alario: Argentina’s secret World Cup weapon alongside Messi?

A FIFA World Cup remains the only significant piece of silverware in the sport that still eludes Lionel Messi (l.). Can Lucas Alario (r.) help the Barcelona man rectify that this summer? © gettyimages / JUAN MABROMATA Belgium

In contention: Michy Batshauyi (Borussia Dortmund), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Landry Dimata (Wolfsburg), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart), Divock Origi (Wolfsburg)

Michy Batshuayi has hit the ground running since joining Dortmund from Chelsea, with seven goals in as many Bundesliga games. He’s favourite to keep Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku company in the attacking berths. Thorgan Hazard, meanwhile, is proving that Eden might not be the only world class player in the family…

READ: Marc Wilmots on why the Dortmund move made sense for Batshuayi

Belgium were ranked as the world's No. 1 team by FIFA as recently as March 2016. With attacking talent like Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi and Kevin De Bruyne (l-r.), it's little wonder. © gettyimages / REMY GABALDA Brazil

In contention: Naldo (Schalke), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Douglas Santos (Hamburg), Walace (Hamburg), Wendell (Leverkusen), William (Wolfsburg)

In Douglas Santos, Walace and William, the Bundesliga boasts three players who won Gold for Brazil at the 2016 Olympics alongside Neymar. Further back, Schalke stalwart Naldo has arguably been the best centre-back in the league this season. He may be without a cap since 2009, but Brazil coach Tite says he’s considering the 35-year-old’s cause.

READ: Why Schalke’s Naldo deserves a Brazil recall

Hamburg midfielder Walace (l.) was one of three Bundesliga players to win Olympic gold with Brazil in 2016 alongside Gabriel Jesus (c.) and Neymar (r.). © imago Colombia

In contention: Jhon Cordoba (Cologne), James Rodriguez (Bayern)

James Rodriguez top scored at the 2014 World Cup with six goals on Colombia’s road to the quarter-finals. The attacking midfielder has hit the ground running since joining Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, and will be the first name on Jose Pekerman’s teamsheet.

READ: James Rodrguez: 10 things on the Bayern and Colombia star

WATCH: ALL of James' Bundesliga goals and assists so far!

Croatia

In contention: Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Josip Elez (Hannover), Tin Jedvaj (Leverkusen), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Frankfurt)

Denmark

In contention: Emil Berggreen (Mainz), Jacob Bruun Larsen (Stuttgart), Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig), Frederik Sörensen (Cologne), Jannik Vestergaard (Gladbach)

England

In contention: Leon Bailey* (Leverkusen), Ademola Lookman (Leipzig), Reece Oxford (Gladbach), Jadon Sancho (Dortmund)

*Leon Bailey has only played for Jamaica’s U23 team to date, and while there is debate as to his eligibility, England are reported to be pursuing the possibility. 

Ademola Lookman, Reece Oxford and Jadon Sancho may only be capped at youth level for England, meanwhile, but stranger things have happened: Theo Walcott made the 2006 World Cup squad aged 17 with just 13 senior appearances to his name…

READ: England keen on Bailey ahead of 2018 World Cup

READ: Breaking the grass ceiling: England’s frustrated youngsters flocking to the Bundesliga

You heard it here first: Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey has an outside chance of representing England. France

In contention: Jean-Kevin Augustin (Leipzig), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Abdou Diallo (Mainz), Simon Falette (Frankfurt), Josuha Guilavogui (Wolfsburg), Sebastien Haller (Frankfurt), Vincent Koziello (Cologne), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern), Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig)

Benjamin Pavard has pulled alongside Bayern pair Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso as looking like a dead cert for Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad. The VfB Stuttgart defender has been ever-present for his club this season, and has featured in France’s last two friendlies.

READ: February Rookie of the Month winner: Pavard

"I'm sure you'll join me on the plane, Benjamin" - Corentin Tolisso (l.) and, of late, Benjamin Pavard (r.) are central to Didier Deschamps' France plans. © imago Germany

In contention: Karim Bellarabi (Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Leverkusen), Jerome Boateng (Bayern), Kerem Demirbay (Hoffenheim), Diego Demme (Leipzig), Yannick Gerhardt (Wolfsburg), Matthias Ginter (Gladbach), Serge Gnabry (Hoffenheim), Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Mario Götze (Dortmund), Marcel Halstenberg (Leipzig), Kai Havertz (Leverkusen), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benjamin Henrichs (Leverkusen), Mats Hummels (Bayern), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), Max Kruse (Bremen), Bernd Leno (Leverkusen), Philipp Max (Augsburg), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Müller (Bayern), Manuel Neuer (Bayern), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern), Andre Schürrle (Dortmund), Lars Stindl (Gladbach), Niklas Sule (Bayern), Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen), Sven Ulreich (Bayern), Kevin Volland (Leverkusen), Sandro Wagner (Bayern), Julian Weigl (Dortmund), Timo Werner (Leipzig)

Naturally, as the home of the world champions, the Bundesliga has an embarrassment of riches to contribute to Joachim Löw’s squad. Die Nationalmannschaft could send three or four squads to the tournament and still be in with a chance of defending their title.

Attention now turns to whether Manuel Neuer – the world’s best goalkeeper – and gifted BVB attacker Marco Reus will be fit in time. Reus missed the 2014 World Cup, as well as EURO 2016, with injury.

READ: How Germany could look at the 2018 World Cup

READ: Manuel Neuer eying comeback from foot fracture

QUIZ:  Who would make YOUR ideal Germany XI?

Iceland

In contention: Afred Finnbogason (Augsburg)

What a story. The smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup finals tournament, and Augsburg’s Alfred Finnbogason was central to their success with three goals in qualifying. Only Robert Lewandowski and Nils Petersen have outscored Finnbo in the Bundesliga this season, meanwhile…

READ: Fire, Ice and Finnbogason

Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason (r.) waves UEFA EURO 2016 goodbye after helping Iceland get to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by hosts, France. © imago Japan

In contention: Takuma Asano (Stuttgart), Genki Haraguchi (Hertha), Makoto Hasebe (Frankfurt), Shinji Kagawa (Dortmund), Yoshinori Muto (Mainz), Yuya Osako (Cologne), Gotoku Sakai (Hamburg)

Shinji Kagawa and his Bundesliga-based Japanese cohorts qualified for the final in Russia in some style, losing just two of their 18 games. Dortmund star Kagawa and Hertha Berlin-owned Genki Haraguchi – neither of them strikers – plundered six and five goals respectively.

READ: Stöger turning back the Klopp on Kagawa

Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa has 29 goals in 89 caps for Japan. © gettyimages Mexico

In contention: Marco Fabian (Frankfurt), Carlos Salcedo (Frankfurt)

The USA’s loss was Mexico’s gain in CONCACAF qualifying. Christian Pulisic and Co. could only finish fifth in the final section, which Mexico won five points clear of Costa Rica. Carlos Salcedo’s El Tri even beat the USMNT 2-1 in Ohio. Frankfurt teammate Marco Fabian was injured for that game, but his recent return to fitness means he is all-but guaranteed his place in Russia.

Despite having a direct hand in 11 goals, Christian Pulisic (l.) couldn't stop the USA from failing to qualify for a first FIFA World Cup finals since 1986. There were no such problems for Mexico, but for the odd yellow card... © gettyimages / Jamie Sabau Morocco

In contention: Amine Harit (Schalke)

Nigeria

In contention: Leon Balogun (Mainz), Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg), Anthony Ujah (Mainz)

Peru

In contention: Claudio Pizarro (Cologne)

Something of a club rather than a national hero, Claudio Pizarro last scored for Peru in June 2015. However, the 39-year-old’s strike in Cologne’s 3-2 loss against Stuttgart on Matchday 25 means he has now scored a Bundesliga goal in each of the last 20 – Yes: TWENTY - calendar years. Peru coach Ricardo Gareca has also said his experience would be valuable among his otherwise youthful group.

WATCH: Pizarro’s 20 Bundesliga goals in 20 years!

Poland

In contention: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Wolfsburg), Marcin Kaminski (Stuttgart), Bartosz Kapustka (Freiburg), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern), Pawel Olkowski (Cologne), Lukasz Piszczek (Dortmund), Eugen Polanski (Hoffenheim)

Robert Lewandowski may have five Bundesliga titles to his name, and two Torjägerkanonen, but he’s never been to the World Cup. A European record 16 goals in qualifying suggest he’ll do some serious damage when he finally gets there…

READ: No pain, no gain for Robert Lewandowski

WATCH: Lewandowski's 100 goals for Bayern!

Portugal

In contention: Bruma (Leipzig), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Renato Sanches (Bayern)

Lewandowski will have some serious competition from Cristiano Ronaldo in his bid to become the tournament’s top scorer. Bruma and Raphael Guerreiro are among those likely to be pumping balls into the box for the Real Madrid ace, the latter a constituent part of the team that won EURO 2016…

Cristiano Ronaldo (r.) was ably assisted by Raphael Guerreiro (l.) as Portugal won their first ever major trophy at UEFA Euro 2016. © imago Senegal

In contention: Salif Sane (Hannover)

Serbia

In contention: Mijat Gacinovic (Frankfurt), Aleksandar Ignjovski (Freiburg), Milos Jojic (Cologne), Luka Jovic (Frankfurt), Gojko Kacar (Augsburg), Filip Kostic (Hamburg), Matija Nastasic (Schalke), Milos Pantovic (Bayern), Milos Vejkovic (Bremen)

South Korea

In contention: Koo Ja-cheol (Augsburg), Seo Young-jae (Hamburg)

Spain

In contention: Juan Bernat (Bayern), Ignacio Camacho (Wolfsburg), Javi Martinez (Bayern), Omar Mascarell (Frankfurt), Jorge Mere (Cologne), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern)

Spain rather underwhelmed in Brazil four years ago, failing to make it out of the group stages. In Thiago Alcantara, the 2010 champions now have the perfect successor to Xavi Hernandez, though – a chance Barcelona squandered in letting the midfielder join Bayern in 2013. He, Javi Martinez and Juan Bernat will have the added spring in their step of being Bundesliga champions, too.

READ: Thiago Alcantara: 10 things on the Spain and Bayern star

Bayern Munich anchorman Javi Martinez (c.) has already won a FIFA World Cup, triumphing alongside captain Iker Casillas (l.) in 2010. © imago / Sven Simon Sweden

In contention: Luwig Augustinsson (Bremen), Albin Ekdal (Hamburg), Emil Forsberg (Leipzig), Branimir Hrgota (Frankfurt), Alexander Isak (Dortmund), Robin Quaison (Mainz)

Switzerland

In contention: Manuel Akanji (Dortmund), Roman Bürki (Dortmund), Josip Drmic (Gladbach), Nico Elvedi (Gladbach), Breel Embolo (Schalke), Gelson Fernandes (Frankfurt), Marwin Hitz (Augsburg), Gregor Kobel (Hoffenheim), Fabian Lustenberger (Hertha), Admir Mehmedi (Wolfsburg), Yvon Mvogo (Leipzig), Yann Sommer (Gladbach), Renato Steffen (Wolfsburg), Denis Zakaria (Gladbach), Steven Zuber (Hofenheim)

Switzerland were incredible in qualifying, winning a perfect nine out of nine games before running into Portugal on the final day. Vladimir Petkovic’s team are in safe hands: their three first-choice goalkeepers – Yann Sommer, Marwin Hitz and Roman Bürki – all ply their trade with aplomb in Germany’s top flight.

Bundesliga goalkeepers Roman Bürki, Marwin Hitz and Yann Sommer (l-r.) have 42 Switzerland caps between them. © gettyimages / PASCAL GUYOT Tunisia

In contention: Mohamed Gouaida (Hamburg)

Source: bundesliga.com

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more