HERZOGENAURACH, Germany – The question has been posed to him countless times, and Joshua Kimmich has offered a remarkably consistent response. But on Tuesday, during a press conference ahead of Germany’s upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, Kimmich offered a revealing insight into the dynamics within the national team as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Herzogenaurach, where the German national team is preparing for crucial test matches. Even as his club side, Bayern Munich, is enjoying a stellar season, Kimmich’s experience with the national team over the past decade has been, to set it mildly, inconsistent. The results speak for themselves: a semi-final appearance at Euro 2016, followed by group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, an eighth-final exit at Euro 2021, and a quarter-final showing at Euro 2024. As Germany approaches its third World Cup with Kimmich in the squad, a familiar challenge looms: the difference between the Bayern Kimmich and the national team Kimmich. At Bayern, he thrives in midfield; for Germany, he’s often deployed as a right-back.
The debate surrounding Kimmich’s position isn’t novel, but his recent comments shed light on a broader strategy – one that prioritizes cohesion and familiarity within the squad. “I actually think it helps us with the national team if we have a lot of players from Bayern Munich on the pitch, because we are, of course, well-rehearsed, because we train together every day, and we have certain principles and automatisms,” Kimmich stated, speaking to SWR in his hometown of Rottweil on Sunday.
At Bayern, Kimmich typically partners with Aleksandar Pavlović in midfield, a combination that has proven remarkably effective. This season, Bayern has only lost one match when both Kimmich and Pavlović have started together – a November defeat against a formidable Arsenal side. This success begs the question: wouldn’t replicating this dynamic in the national team be beneficial?
Kimmich Prioritizes Team Harmony
“Generally,” Kimmich explained, “we have a slightly different basic formation here, especially in the double six. When you look at the last games, when Pavlo and Leon [Goretzka] played together there, Leon tended to drift into the position of the attacking midfielder, which is a little different at Bayern. Accordingly, it doesn’t have that much relevance here. Regardless of whether I play as a six or right-back, I am convinced that I can still bring my qualities and strengths.”
When directly asked if the recent injuries to midfielders Pavlović (hip injury) and Felix Nmecha (knee injury) might prompt a reconsideration of his role in midfield, Kimmich offered a succinct response: “No!”
This unwavering commitment to the team’s needs, even at the potential expense of his preferred position, speaks volumes about Kimmich’s leadership. His focus extends beyond his own performance; he’s actively working to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within the squad. He’s more inclined to highlight the strengths of his teammates than dwell on tactical adjustments.
The Path to Becoming the Best Team
Kimmich was quick to praise Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart, who was called up as a late replacement for the injured Pavlović. “He’s a player who is in very good form, who has played very good games, who has a large share in the fact that VfB is currently in a good position,” Kimmich noted. He also highlighted the potential of Lennart Karl, a newcomer to the national team. “He’s one who goes onto the pitch and is very, very courageous. That’s something I love as a teammate, when young players come and are brave, when they believe in themselves.”
Kimmich addressed a question posed by head coach Julian Nagelsmann regarding the German squad being “good, but not the best.” Kimmich’s response revealed a hard-earned perspective. He recalled that Germany had “the best squad in the world” in 2018, but “we all recognize where that led us.” His conclusion was clear: “Accordingly, it’s not vital to have the best squad in the world, but to have the best team in the world in the complete.”
Becoming the best team in the world will be a significant challenge for Germany. While having Kimmich at his best is crucial, it won’t be enough on its own. The upcoming friendlies against Switzerland (Friday in Basel, 8:45 PM CET / 2:45 PM EDT) and Ghana (Monday in Stuttgart, 8:45 PM CET / 2:45 PM EDT) will be vital opportunities to build that team spirit and refine the tactical approach ahead of the World Cup.
The focus now shifts to Basel and Stuttgart, where Germany will look to build momentum and solidify its preparations for the challenges ahead. The journey to the 2026 World Cup is well underway, and Joshua Kimmich’s leadership, both on and off the pitch, will be instrumental in determining Germany’s fate.
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