World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich
From Gerd Müller to Benjamin Pavard, the Bundesliga has a long history of sending players to the FIFA World Cup who seize the competition's limelight. Could Joshua Kimmich follow in their footsteps?
Name: Joshua Kimmich
Club: Bayern Munich
Nation: Germany
International debut: 29 May 2016
Caps: 108
International goals: 10
Stats correct as of 24 April 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
The Bayern No.6 was outstanding once again. Anchoring the midfield, Kimmich broke up opposition attacks and launched plenty of his own, chipping in with two goals and six assists as an imperious Bayern side marched to the Bundesliga title. The team’s on-field leader and warrior, he is the kind of player whose presence alone makes the opposition crumble.
Watch: What makes Kimmich so good?
What he brings to the national team
Kimmich is Germany’s captain and the most experienced player in the current squad, with his 108 caps by the end of the 2025/26 season putting him joint ninth in the country’s all-time list alongside Jürgen Klinsmann. Philipp Lahm (113) and Toni Kroos (114) could be reeled in if Julian Nagelsmann’s side go all the way.
He's also the team’s set-piece expert, with pinpoint deliveries from free-kicks and corners, but arguably it is his versatility that is most useful to Nagelsmann this summer. Although Kimmich operates in central midfield for Bayern, he plays at right-back internationally, with the Germany coach confirming he would remain in that position for the 2026 showdown.
What his coaches say
Where I see Josh best, where I really enjoyed observing him was in midfield. That's why he's there. He's not playing there because he's Kimmich. He's playing there because he’s showing every day in training that he deserves to be picked there. He's also a great leader." - Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany
"Joshua is a role model, with his commitment and ambition on the field. He gives his all on the pitch and, in training, he does everything to win games. He can inspire the team and get them behind him. He is exceptionally talented [...] He’s one of the best crossers of the ball in Europe." - Nagelsmann
