Germany have underperformed in recent tournaments but head to the World Cup in Qatar in November with fresh ambition thanks to a new manager in Hansi Flick.
Die Mannschaft's 15-year association with Joachim Low came to end as they were dumped out of Euro 2020 by England last summer at a frenzied Wembley.
It was the second tournament in a row they had underdelivered in but Flick has refreshed the side and they will believe they have a chance of winning the World Cup at 10/1.
What | World Cup |
Where | Qatar |
When | 20th November - 18th December 2022 |
How to watch | All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV |
Odds | Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1 |
Germany boss Hansi Flick named his final 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup on November 10:
Germany are one of the most successful sides in World Cup history, lifting the trophy four times (three of them when they competed as West Germany).
They beat Hungary in 1954, the Netherlands in 1974 and Argentina in 2014, while they were runners-up in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002.
It took an extra-time goal from Mario Gotze to win the World Cup back at the Maracana Stadium in 2014.
Position | Year |
Winners | 1954, 1974, 1990 & 2014 |
Runners-up | 1966, 1982,1986 & 2002 |
Third place | 1934, 1970, 2006 & 2010 |
Fourth place | 1958 |
Quarter-finals | 1962, 1994, 1998 |
Second group stage | 1978 |
Frist round | 1938 |
Group stage | 2018 |
Qualification was largely straightforward for Germany - they won nine out of 10 matches in Group J with a surprise 2-1 home defeat to North Macedonia the only blot in their copybook.
However, that loss came in the latter days of Low's reign and Flick's side are a different beast altogether - they are unbeaten in 13 matches of his tenure, winning nine of them.
Germany scored 36 goals in qualifying, letting in just four.
A very interesting clash with Spain awaits Germany in the second group game on 27th November - it is a match between two sides who dominated international football during the 2010s and are hoping to scale those heights again.
Costa Rica are Germany's third opponents on 1st December but it is Japan who will provide the first test on 23rd November.
Flick took over from Low upon the conclusion of Euro 2020 and he arrived into the job on the back of two superb years at Bayern Munich.
He guided the Bavarian side to two Bundesliga titles, a Champions League, a Club World Cup and a Super Cup, playing some excellent football in the process.
Flick actually served as Low's assistant for eight years between 2006 and 2014 so he played his part in their last World Cup success.
Germany have got several players who could light up the World Cup in Qatar but the one to really keep an eye on is Joshua Kimmich, who is one of the best holding midfielders in the World.
The Bayern man was a crucial cog under Flick and brings great versatility to the side as he is equally adept at playing right-back.
Kimmich might not steal the show in terms of goals and great attacking play but he is about as dependable as it gets and he embodies the spirit and ability of former captain Philipp Lahm.
Germany always seem to bring with them at least one excellent youngster who makes a name for themselves at a major tournament and, this time around, it could well be Karim Adeyemi.
The forward has just joined Borussia Dortmund after an excellent stint with RB Salzburg in Austria, in a move that mirrors Erling Haaland.
Timo Werner's injury means there may be a gap at centre-forward, and Adeyemi could be the man to take it if he begins brightly at the Westfalonstadion.
Germany's predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Lukas Klostermann, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule, David Raum; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry; Thomas Muller.
Germany have so much strength in depth and quality that their team could look totally different to this one and still have a great chance of going all the way.
Flick enjoys playing football with plenty of width and pace, which Sane and Gnabry provide, while Muller has the uncanny ability to score goals in international tournaments.
Defensively, they are solid with Rudiger and Sule providing plenty of experience while midfield provides the perfect balance of craft and solidity.
Off the bench, Adeyemi and Jamal Musiala are likely impact substitutions, while Chelsea's Kai Havertz may be put in from the start.
There is no reason why Germany can't win the tournament outright and that is always the expectation.
It looked as though they were a nation on the decline this time last year but Flick has seriously lifted this group of talented players.
It is impossible to ignore the fact Flick has not lost any of his 13 matches since taking over and the 5-2 dismantling of Euro 2020 winners Italy recently in the Nations League made many sit up and take notice.
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