In this series, we look back at all the squad members and coaches of Germany’s famous 2014 World Cup-winning squad from 2014: recap their role in that triumph in Brazil, and look at what’s been going on with them lately.
Matthias Ginter’s role in 2014
Ginter did not play in 2014.
He made the World Cup squad in 2018 but also did not play.
In 2022, he was a 90th-minute sub in Germany’s final group stage match against Costa Rica, with Germany’s exit already all but confirmed on goal difference to Spain — a friendly gesture from then-coach
Hansi Flick in consideration of the defender’s contributions to the squad on the world stage without having yet been rewarded with even a single appearance.
What is Matthias Ginter doing now?
Ginter is not part of Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
It is a tough miss— especially considering Julian Nagelsmann does not have a clear right-back alternative to Joshua Kimmich and has a setup that could conceivably deploy three at the back — with options such as Jamie Leweling and Leroy Sané as right wing-backs should Kimmich need a breather. Ginter played, and played well, at right-sided wide center-back in Joachim Löw’s back three at EURO 2021, and would be a candidate for a similar role or as a defensive full-back. Borussia Dortmund’s Waldemar Anton is filling that role instead.
Ginter had himself a fine season at SC Freiburg and at 32, is still going strong. It just looks like national team glory is not on the cards for him…and one cannot help but wonder that he has deserved better.
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