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2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Hummels, Mueller, Kroos, Ozil & Co return to play Czech Republic

Loew confirmed that star players like Mats Hummels, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Joshua Kimmich, Jonas Hector, and keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in the lineup. But confirmation for World Cup squad will only come if they deliver.

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Germany's players warm up during a training session on August 31, 2017 at the Eden Arena in Prague on the eve of their FIFA World Cup 2018 Group C qualification football match against the Czech Republic.
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Germany's World Cup-winning players who sat out their Confederations Cup victory in July will need to prove themselves in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers if they are to keep their spot, defender Mats Hummels said on Thursday.

Hummels is one of several players, including Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos - all 2014 World Cup winners - who have returned for their qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and Norway three days later.

Coach Joachim Loew had rested them in the summer ahead of next year's 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"Yes, we have to (prove ourselves) a little bit," Hummels told reporters. "But it is not a bad thing. It was the same some years ago when we, the then (2009) Under-21 European champions, put pressure on those in the national team. "This helps that everyone is at 100%, because there is not one but three or four talented players waiting in the wings. It does not make us weaker but stronger."

There are other world champions, including Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and Sami Khedira, who have yet to return but will want to earn their starting spot back once fit.
Germany top Group C on 18 points, five off second-placed Northern Ireland and nine ahead of the Czechs, who are third.

Loew has included 17 players from his Confed Cup squad and warned his big names would have to deliver.

"There is no player who has a free ticket for the World Cup," Loew said. "They have to deliver good performances, they have to know what their goals for the season are."

Loew's team could wrap up qualification with a win against Norway in combination with other results. "The more players in top form next year, the higher chances of winning the title," Loew said.

"The past counts for nothing in football. You have to invest to be ready next year. I told my players that. The Confed Cup made our choice of players bigger. But the final decision will not be taken now but much later."

Loew confirmed Hummels, Mueller, Kroos, Ozil, Joshua Kimmich, Jonas Hector and keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen would be in the lineup.

"The Czechs are with their backs to the wall and against us they have to get points, and win against Northern Ireland. Otherwise, their World Cup dream is over," he said.

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