Gotze returns to Germany squad for first time in five years

Midfielder Mario Gotze has been named in Germany's World Cup squad after a five year absence.

The 2014 winning goal scorer and the man of the final match, Gotze, has not played for Germany since a friendly against France in November 2017.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane have also been named.

Munich teammates Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller will be playing in their fourth World Cup.

17 year-old Borussia Dortmund's striker, Youssoufa Moukoko is also included.

Germany is in Group E with Japan, Spain and Costa Rica.

Germany will play the first 2022 FIFA World Cup match against Japan on 24th November at 1am.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will kick off on the 21st of this month.

The German Squad: Goalkeepers Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)

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

Midfielders Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund) Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City) Jonas Hofmann (RB Leipzig) Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)

Forwards Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund) Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen) Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt) Kai Havertz (Chelsea) Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)

[Source: BBC]