As one of the traditional powerhouses in world football, Germany will naturally go into the tournament as one of the favourites.
Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but as defending champions four years ago in Russia, they finished bottom of a group that included Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.
A younger Rudiger was part of the Germany squad in Russia 2018 but will head into the tournament in Qatar as one of his country's most experienced heads.
The 29-year-old Real Madrid defender says it will be a surprise if this Germany squad is able to replicate the feat in Brazil eight years ago.
"It's exciting. In 2018 I was in the team, but always on the bench. I was young. Now I enjoy a different role, the role of leader," he told AS.
"I've worked all my life for this and it's something that makes me very happy. I'm ready.
"It's a new era. In 2014 there was an excellent generation, people like [Toni] Kroos, [Mario] Gotze, [Phillip] Lahm, [Bastian] Schweinsteiger.
"But I think now there is also a great generation of players capable of achieving something important.
"You can never get Germany out of the potential winners. But if we look at what we have done in recent months, it may be a surprise [if] we win.
"We haven't managed to do a good stage lately. In good shape, for me, is for example Brazil."
Germany have been paired with Spain, Costa Rica and Japan in their group.
"It's a World Cup. If you want to win it you have to also beat the best, and it doesn't matter when you face them," Rudiger added.
"Spain is very, very high. Now, playing in Spain, I can see how many good players there are.
"Like Germany, it is a new generation. In football, it's hard to give things time. But I think they have a good team, a young team that may need time."
