Serge Gnabry

DOHA — Germany players placed their hands over their mouths during a team photo ahead of their game against Japan for their World Cup Group E on Wednesday as the row over FIFA's threat of sanctions over the "OneLove" armband continued.

All Germany players took part in the gesture in front of dozens of photographers on the pitch ahead of kickoff, after world soccer body FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolizing diversity and tolerance.

FRANKFURT - Germany handed a surprise call-up to Borussia Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko in their World Cup squad on Thursday as 2014 World Cup winner Mario Götze marked a sensational return to the national team set up after five years.

Germany coach Hansi Flick announced his 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar starting on Nov. 20, with the 17-year-old Moukoko, who has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, included.

"Youssoufa is lively and quick player. We are really happy for him," Flick said.

Chelsea’s roster is going through some serious changes this summer with big names leaving the club and being replaced. The potential Chelsea starting XI 2022-23 lineup has some fresh faces and new names.

First, let’s look at the potential lineup and then explain the additions. Spoiler alert to fellow Americans: Christian Pulisic doesn’t make it into this potential lineup. The formation is manager Thomas Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-2-1 look.

The Bayern Munich starting XI 2022-23 lineup is going to be an incredibly difficult decision for manager Julian Nagelsmann. The departure of Robert Lewandowski has left a hole the size of Bavaria in Bayern’s attack. Without a solid replacement at center forward, what will Nagelsmann do?

Nagelsmann loves himself a 4-2-3-1 formation and it’s hard to see him stepping away from it. For this example, that formation will be used. Here’s an idea of how the defending Bundesliga champions could lineup.

A F̶l̶o̶r̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶W̶i̶r̶t̶z̶ ̶t̶r̶y̶o̶u̶t̶ top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday failed to live up to the billing, instead playing out like a fight between Tyson Fury and a piece of toast that’s been soaking in a bucket. 

It’s too early to award the title to Bayern — Borussia Dortmund still has something to say about that — but it’s not too early to give the Ballon d’Or to Robert Lewandowski.