2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia June 14 - July 15,2018 - Germany aim to extend dominance

Head coach: Joachim Low
FIFA World Cup history: Qualified 18 times; best-Champions 4 times (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014)
Qualifying route: UEFA Group C winners

Germany Squad

 Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp

Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Matthias Ginter, Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Marvin Plattenhardt, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule

Midfielders: Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Sebastian Rudy;

Forwards: Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller, Nils Petersen, Marco Reus, Timo Werner

The defending champions will keen on retaining football’s biggest crown in Russia and their depth of squad certainly supports their claim.

The only drawback to their vast bench strength was the surprise exclusion of the Premier League’s young player of the year, Leroy Sane.

Germany’s qualifying process was nothing short of lethal, as they won 10 straight games, accumulating 30 perfect points. They also scored a whopping 43 goals scored opposed to conceding just four.

Germany have already won the title four times in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 (including West Germany). They have reached the semifinal of every World Cup tournament since 2002 until they bettered it in Brazil four years ago.

Three players to watch out for

Toni Kroos - After winning a third successive Champions League title with Real Madrid earlier this year, Kroos became the most successful German in the history of the competition. The creative midfielder was pivotal to Germany’s success four years ago and will be keen on carrying forward current form to Russia.

Timo Werner - Werner, who is already drawing comparisons to German icon Gerd Muller, will most likely turn out as Germany’s main striker at the World Cup. At only 22-years of age the pacey Werner has 47 goals and 150 appearances in the Bundesliga.

Joshua Kimmich - The Bayern Munich full-back’s knack for scoring goals was best portrayed by his brace against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals earlier this year. Occupying a position rightly owned by Philipp Lahm during his long stay with the German national team, Kimmich will be key to Germany’s transition from defence to attack.