Kevin-Prince Boateng: Mats Hummels not being in Germany’s World Cup squad is a scandal

Former AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund player Kevin-Prince Boateng believes that Mats Hummels not being in Germany’s squad for the FIFA World Cup is a scandal.

Mats Hummels was surprisingly left out of Germany’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Hansi Flick deciding to go with a more youthful back-line. The Germany head coach made the decision with a view towards the future. And Kevin-Prince Boateng has now labeled the decision to not include the Borussia Dortmund defender in the squad a scandal.

In his column for Sport1, Boateng criticised Germany’s defending against Japan and wrote that Hummels deserves to be in the squad for the World Cup in Qatar. The former AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 forward, who now plays for Hertha Berlin, said:

"“The defence is the biggest problem for me at the moment. It really worries me. It’s inexplicable to me that Mats Hummels isn’t in Qatar. Anyone who has seen his performances at BVB knows that he is still one of the best defenders.”“The fact that he’s currently touring Asia with BVB and isn’t in Qatar is actually a scandal! Such an error as that of Nico Schlotterbeck before Japan’s second goal would not have happened with Hummels. He clearly belongs in the starting XI alongside Rüdiger.”"

Hummels has been in excellent form for Borussia Dortmund this season, and has rolled back the years with some of his performances. The 33 year old said that being left out of the Germany squad was one of the biggest disappointments of his career so far.

Germany’s World Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Japan. After taking the lead in the first half, Hansi Flick’s side conceded two late goals and fell to a shock defeat.

Germany now face a must-win game against Spain on Sunday. A defeat to Spain would likely mean another early exit for Germany, who were also eliminated in the group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.