There are more explosive German stars, but Joshua Kimmich may be the player who best explains whether this team is a real contender. Now 31 and Germany’s captain, he is the one who gives the side structure, setting the tempo, moving the ball quickly, and making sure the match is played on Germany’s terms instead of the opponent’s. He heads into the World Cup with 108 caps for Germany.
He has been a mainstay in midfield for Bayern Munich this season as they’ve run away with the Bundesliga title and into the Champions League semifinal. Kimmich does work on both sides of the ball, as he’s among the top Bundesliga midfielders in chances created, successful passes, touches, and ball recoveries. That all-around skill set is key for the German team, where Kimmich may line up as a nominal right-back in one game and a central midfielder the next.
Kimmich is not just a glue player anymore — he is one of the senior figures Germany leans on to organize the whole thing. His influence can be easy to miss if you only watch for highlights. He is not the dribbler that Jamal Musiala is or the finisher a striker might be, but he is often the player who makes Germany’s best moments possible in the first place. On a team still trying to prove it is past the disappointments of 2018 and 2022, Kimmich feels like the player most responsible for turning talent into control.