World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Union Berlin's Rani Khedira
Union Berlin stalwart Rani Khedira made his first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Tunisia's 5-1 defeat to Sweden after switching his allegiance to the African nation earlier this year. He's now followed in the footsteps of brother Sami by appearing at the showpiece, albeit for a different nation.
Name: Rani Khedira
Club: Union Berlin
Nation: Tunisia
International debut: 29 March 2026
Caps: 4
Goals: 0
Stats correct as of 16 June 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
As has been the case ever since he joined Union from Augsburg in 2021, Khedira was a reliable member of the Irons' engine room this past term. He missed just two of the team's Bundesliga fixtures and was a regular captain as Christopher Trimmel was used increasingly sparingly. Khedira even added goals to his game in 2025/26, netting a career-high five Bundesliga strikes. The 32-year-old is always on the go, underlined by the fact that only Danilho Doekhi covered more ground than Khedira for Union across the term.
What he brings to the national team?
Khedira is a late addition to the Tunisia set-up, having previously featured for Germany at youth level while also turning down the chance to represent the African country earlier in his career - perhaps looking to emulate his sibling and feature for the country of his birth. However, as soon as he pledged his allegiance, made possible by his father being from Tunisia, it became clear he would be an important cog in the starting line-up.
He started in the middle of the park against Sweden, lasting 83 minutes before being replaced. He and new Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard will hope he can make a bigger impact against Japan in the nation's second group game.
Watch: Khedira at his Union best
What his coaches say
"I believe that Rani has been important for years now. Even in phases that might not be so good for him. His presence on the pitch, his organizational skills, and his ability to direct and manage a game make him extremely important." - Ex-Union head coach Steffen Baumgart
