Kimmich, like many other big-name footballing stars, promised to speak out where he sees fit, though he suggested the backlash to FIFA s 2010 decision on Qatar has come too late.
He continued: We ve talked a lot about the fact the World Cup was awarded here.
That was 12 years ago, when I was 15, and now I somehow always have to comment on it. I don t know if it s always justified.
But we also have to manage this balancing act of focusing on the sporting side. I mean regardless of where the World Cup is taking place, it s a World Cup, it s the biggest competition for us footballers there is.
It s a huge childhood dream to play tomorrow, and yet somehow I have the feeling that it s always being talked down a bit or that you can t really look forward to it.
Japan will mark coach Flick s first game at FIFA s top tournament, too, and the German acknowledged a tough task awaits at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
I have to out myself as a bit of a fan of Japanese football. They are really doing it well, Flick said.
We see the quality they have in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt s [Daichi] Kamada playing a great season or [Wataru] Endo, who is one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.
It is a very big task but we go into the match prepared and look forward to it.
