Perennial heavyweights, defending champions Germany booked their place at an impressive 17th (19th in total) FIFA World Cup in succession following an unblemished qualifying campaign.
Die Mannschaft will always be among the favourites to walk away with the cup and it will be no different at the 2018 showpiece with the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup champions having claimed 10 wins out of 10 on their way to topping UEFA qualifying Group C.
Joachim Löw has enjoyed a decade of success with Germany and boasts an unbelievable record as boss of the four-time (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014) champions. They head to Russia not only hoping to defend the title they won in Brazil, but also to match the South American’s record of five World Cup crowns.
Having netted an impressive 43 goals in the qualifiers, as well as ending the 2017 international calendar unbeaten Germany are doing all the right things in build up to the World Cup.
Germany have finished within the top four at a World Cup an unprecedented 13 times and with experienced heads Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng,Sami Khedira, Mario Gotze and Thomas Müller backed up by the exciting talent of Leroy Sane, Joshua Kimmich, Julian Draxler and Timo Werner - don’t bet against the Germans to reign supreme once more.
epa06844276 Toni Kroos of Germany (R) and Lee Jae-sung of South Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844300 Moon Seon-min (L) of South Korea and Joshua Kimmich of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844328 Hong Chul of South Korea (R) and Timo Werner of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844265 Moon Seon-min (L) of South Korea and Joshua Kimmich of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844267 Sami Khedira (R) of Germany and Koo Ja-cheol of South Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844237 Lee Jae-sung of South Korea (L) and Joshua Kimmich of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844253 Mats Hummels of Germany (L) and Jang Hyun-soo of South Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844155 Yun Young-sun of South Korea (R) and Marco Reus of Germany (C) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844183 Son Heung-min of South Korea (L) and Mats Hummels of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844203 Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Germany (R) saves the ball ahead of Son Heung-min of South Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06844119 Lee Jae-sung of South Korea (R) and Jonas Hector of Germany in action the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between South Korea and Germany in Kazan, Russia, 27 June 2018.
epa06834617 Ludwig Augustinsson (L) of Sweden and Ilkay Guendogan of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834704 Mario Gomez of Germany (L) and Andreas Granqvist of Sweden in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834715 Toni Kroos (R) of Germany takes a shot during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834602 Mikael Lustig (L) of Sweden and Thomas Mueller of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834520 Mikael Lustig (back) of Sweden in action against Marco Reus (front) of Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834467 Jonas Hector of Germany (R) and Mikael Lustig of Sweden (L) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834500 Joshua Kimmich (L) of Germany and Emil Forsberg of Sweden in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834513 Ludwig Augustinsson (L) of Swedenin action against Timo Werner (R) of Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834477 Marco Reus of Germany (L) and Viktor Claesson of Sweden (R) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
epa06834484 Emil Forsberg (C) of Sweden in action against Thomas Mueller (R) of Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Sweden in Sochi, Russia, 23 June 2018.
Raul Jimenez (L) of Mexico and Joshua Kimmich of Germany in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816456 Jerome Boateng (L) of Germany and Hector Herrera of Mexico in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816461 Hector Herrera (R) of Mexico in action against Toni Kroos (L) of Germany during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018. Mexico won 1-0.
epa06816473 Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico (L) and Mario Gomez of Germany (R) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816090 Jerome Boateng of Germany (R) and Javier Hernandez of Mexico react during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816094 Mesut Oezil (R) of Germany in action against Hector Herrera of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816028 Mats Hummels of Germany and Carlos Vela of Mexico (top) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816071 Julian Draxler (R) of Germany and Hector Moreno of Mexico in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816047 Timo Werner of Germany (L) and Hirving Lozano of Mexico in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06816023 Mats Hummels of Germany and Javier Hernandez of Mexico (R) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, 17 June 2018.
epa06049960 Christian Bassogog (R) of Cameroon and Antonio Ruediger of Germany in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06049956 Ernest Mabouka (L) of Cameroon and Timo Werner of Germany in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06050180 Nicolas Ngamaleu (L) of Cameroon shakes hands with Amin Younes of Germany after the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/PETER POWELL
epa06050041 Adolphe Teikeu (R) of Cameroon and Benjamin Henrichs of Germany in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06049953 Emre Can (C) of Germany in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06049925 Kerem Demirbay (L) of Germany celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06049842 Vincent Aboubakar (R) of Cameroon and Niklas Suele of Germany in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
epa06049764 Julian Draxler (R) of Germany in action against Christian Bassogog of Cameroon during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/PETER POWELL
epa06049823 Julian Draxler (R) of Germany in action against Arnaud Djoum of Camerron during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/PETER POWELL
epa06049836 Marvin Plattenhardt (down) of Germany and Christian Bassogog of Cameroon in action during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 group B soccer match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 25 June 2017. EPA/ARMANDO BABANI
Germany's Thomas Muller celebrates with the World Cup and team-mates Jerome Boateng and Per Mertesacker after the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Philipp Lahm lifts the World Cup and celebrates victory with team-mates after the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Lukas Podolski celebrate winning the World Cup after the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates with the World Cup trophy after the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Mario Goetze (left) and Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates after Germany won the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Mario Goetze scores his teams opening goal of the game
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) is tackled by Argentina's Lucas Biglia (left) and Javier Mascherano
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) collides with Argentina's Sergio Aguero
Germany's Philip Lahm (right) and Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio battle for the ball
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio battle for the ball
Argentina's Lucas Biglia and Argentina's Lionel Messi battle for the ball with Germany's Mesut Ozil during the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Germany's Mesut Ozil (right) and Argentina's Lionel Messi battle for the ball
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Argentina's Lucas Biglia battle for the ball
Germany's Toni Kroos (right) and Argentina's Sergio Aguero battle for the ball
Germany's Miroslav Klose battles for the ball with Argentina's Enzo Perez (right) during the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (right) has a shot on target ahead of Germany's Jerome Boateng
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) and Argentina's Javier Mascherano battle for the ball
Germany's Mats Hummels and Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Final at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Brazil's Marcelo (right) and Germany's Mesut Ozil battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Brazil's David Luiz (right) and Germany's Toni Kroos (left) battle for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Brazil's Luis Gustavo (left) and David Luis (4) battle for the ball with Germany's Mats Hummels (right) during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game with teammate Germany's Sami Khedira (6) and Miroslav Klose (left) during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany's Miroslav Klose (left) celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with teammates during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Brazil's David Luiz passes the ball away from Germany's Miroslav Klose (left) during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Brazil's David Luiz looks towards the referee for a decision as Germany's Miroslav Klose (right) stands over him during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany's Thomas Muller celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with teammate Germany's Mesut Ozil (right) during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany's Thomas Muller scores his side's first goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Semi Final at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Manuel Neuer of Germany congratulated by Jerome Boateng of Germany at end of game during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Manuel Neuer of Germany acknowledges fans at end of game during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Benedikt Hoewedes and Mats Hummels of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Jerome Boateng of Germany beats Antoine Griezmann of France in the air during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Karim Benzema of France challenged by Toni Kroos of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Karim Benzema of France challenged by Toni Kroos of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mathieu Valbuena of France and Blaise Matuidi of France clear from Sami Khedira of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Miroslav Klose of Germany shields ball from Patrice Evra of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Antoine Griezmann of France tackled by Sami Khedira of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Thomas Muller of Germany held back by Yohan Cabaye of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Thomas Muller of Germany held back by Yohan Cabaye of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mesut Ozil of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Thomas Muller of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Thomas Muller of Germany challenges Patrice Evra of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mesut Ozil of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mesut Ozil of Germany shields ball from Blaise Matuidi of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mesut Oezil of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Thomas Muller of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Patrice Evra of France shields ball from Thomas Mueller of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mats Hummels of Germany screams in celebration as Thomas Mueller, Benedikt Hoewedes and Sami Khedira go to congratulate him during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Raphael Varane of France reacts in disappointment after conceding goal as Mats Hummels of Germany (number 5) celebrates in background during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mathieu Valbuena of France shields ball from Sami Khedira of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Mats Hummels of Germany heads ball past Raphael Varane of France to score during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Paul Pogba of France challenges Toni Kroos of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Toni Kroos of Germany controls ball from Paul Pogba (r) Blaise Matuidi (l) during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany heads ball away from Mathieu Valbuena of France during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Paul Pogba of France clears ball from Toni Kroos of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Blaise Matuidi of France clears from Thomas Mueller of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Antoine Griezmann of France controls ball in front of Jerome Boateng of Germany during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Toni Kroos of Germany shoots at goal during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Patrice Evra of France and Philipp Lahm of Germany challenge for the ball during the 2014 Brazil World Cup Final Quarterfinal football match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro on 4 July 2014
Germany
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