News Focus
- Bayern Munich icon Uli Hoeneß has named his ideal Germany starting eleven for the 2026 World Cup
- The former club president prefers Nick Woltemade as striker instead of Kai Havertz
- Joshua Kimmich would play in midfield rather than at right-back in Hoeneß’s system
- Jamie Leweling gets the nod over Leroy Sané and Lennart Karl in the attacking trio
Bayern Munich legend Uli Hoeneß has shared his personal choice for Germany’s best starting line-up. The former club president selected his preferred eleven players from Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad.
Between the posts, Hoeneß keeps faith with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The back four would feature David Raum at right-back, Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck in the centre, and Nathaniel Brown on the left flank.
“Raum is not perfect at right-back, but Joshua Kimmich must play in midfield,” Hoeneß explained. “That is his strongest position. He plays exceptionally well there, next to Aleksandar Pavlović. I also think highly of Nathaniel Brown.”
The midfield pairing would therefore consist of Kimmich and Pavlović. Hoeneß believes this combination offers the best protection for the defence.
Further forward, the 73-year-old selects Jamie Leweling, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. “We all know how good Musiala and Wirtz are. They must start,” he said. “I like Leroy Sané, but he lacks confidence at the moment. Lennart Karl is not ready to start yet. That is why I choose Leweling.”
For the lone striker role, Hoeneß made a surprising choice. While most expect Kai Havertz to lead the line for Nagelsmann, the Bayern patriarch prefers Nick Woltemade. “I am a fan of Havertz, but Woltemade is more of a true striker. He suits this formation better,” Hoeneß stated.
Hoeneß’s preferred line-up: Neuer; Raum, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Kimmich, Pavlović; Leweling, Wirtz, Musiala; Woltemade.