World Cup Team Guide: Germany

Manager: Joachim Low

Key player: Mesut Ozil - Though he continues to divide opinion in England the playmaker is revered in his homeland, having been named Germany's national team Player of the Year in five of the last seven years.

Qualifying:

As it so often is qualification was a formality for 'Die Mannschaft' as they won all 10 of their games to top Group C, scoring 43 goals in the process.

Last time out:

2014 World Cup:

Mario Gomez struck the winner in extra time against Argentina to send Germany home from Brazil as champions, their first World Cup triumph in 24 years. A crushing 7-1 semi-final win over Brazil will also live long in the memory, whilst European championship finalists France were also defeated in the quarters.

History:

Germany have won the tournament on four occasions, three times under the guise of West Germany (1954, 1974 and 1990) before their triumph in 2014. 'Die Mannschaft' has featured at 18 tournaments, also finishing as runners-up on four occasions. No team has played more World Cup matches than Germany (106).

Who will they face?

Mexico (4pm, June 17, Moscow), Sweden (7pm, June 23, Sochi), South Korea (3pm, June 27, Kazan).

Final squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich).

Strikers: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig).