By sheer record and performance Germany can match the eternal favorite Brazil in Soccer World Cup. 

Germany in the history of the FIFA world Cup is one of the most successful team. It won the championship four times, earning second and third place finishes four times each and fourth place once. If finishing at third place and above is taken into consideration the 12 times achievement in 18 appearances at world stage Germany is the most successful achiever even surpassing Brazil. 

Germany is the only team of the world which could destroy the Brazilian challenge at their home 7-1 which has been discussed every time world cu is discussed. Germany is the only team which stood on the podium at 3rd position or better in every decade they entered the tournament -1930s, 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000 and 2010. 

Along with Argentina, Brazil and Spain Germany has won the title outside their continent winning its in 2014 in Brazil. It appeared in World Cup 19 times out of 21, the second after peerless Brazil. In 17 times out of 18 tournaments Germany achieved position 8th or better. As reigning champion Germany looks set for back to back tournament victory in Russia world cup 2018. Though it lost a friendly 1-2 against neighbor Austria in a friendly match recently yet it looks a formidable candidate for the cup. Like its national heritage Germans on the ground posses never say die attitude. They never give up and fight till the last minute carrying their insatiable lust for victory.

GERMANY does not play fancy football. There is more of science and technology in the football than art and artistry. But they remain very competitive all the time. In 19 out of 21 tournaments they won titles 4 times( 1954, 1974 and 2014) , finished second 4 times ( 1966 ,1982, 1986 and 2002 ) finished third 4 times (1934 , 1970 , 2006 , 2010 ) and fourth place once ( 1958) . In 19 tournaments they played 106 matches, won 66, drew 20 and lost 20. They scored 220 goals and digested 121. Germany could not appear in 1950 being banned from world cup.

The following players made Germany a formidable force to reckon with over the years:

Franz Beckenbauer, Gert Muller, Lothar Matthius, Jergen Klinsman, Manual Neuer, Phillipp Lahm , Thomas Muller , Bastian Schwinsteiger, Karl Heinz Rummenigge, Fritz Walter, Miroslav Klose, Sepp Maier. 

Some of them played appeared together but others with amazing individual skills kept German flags flying high in World Soccer. 

German Role of Honor in World Cup (4 times Champions) 

Year       Manager                  Captain         Goal Scorers in the Final
1954     Sep Herberger          Fritz Walter               Helmut Rann
1974     Helmut Schon        Franz Beckenbour         Gerd Muller 
1990     Franz Beckenbour     Lothar Mathius       Andrias Brehme
2014      Jachim Low              Phillip Lahm             Mario Gotze

Germany in 2018 World Cup:

After losing to France in Euro 2016 the tenure of present coach Jachim Low came under scrutiny. The international retirement of Phillip Lahm, Per Mertssacker , Miroslav Klose , Bastian Schwenisteger and Lukas Podoski created question whether Germany can keep its momentum with new players.

Maro Gomez a surprise inclusion in the team at Euro after he missed 2014 world cup ended the tournament as Germay’s top goal scorer of the tournament with only two goals to his credit.

Germany appeared to lose its attacking flair .There was a shdow of breath taking team that trounced mighty Brazil 7-1 in 2014 World cup. Thomas Muller who scored 10 goals in the 2014 event failed to score any in France.

Low had no choice but to look for fresh legs such as Jerome Boetang, Mats Hummels, 
Mauel Neur, Toni Kross , Mesut Ozil, Maripo Getze Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus, Sami Khdira, Lerrie sane and Muller. Germany swept the competition aside defeating Chile by a goal in front of capacity crowd at St Petersburgh.

Sandro Wagner, Timo Werner, Lars Stindt and LoeonGoretzka starred as revolutionary Germany remained undefeated on their road since the defeat of France.

In Russia World Cup 2018 Germany is in Group alongside Mexico, Sweden and Korea Republic. It is not going to be easy at all as three other teams have good records in world cup at least in moving ahead from the group.

Head to Head 

Teams               Played     Win     Draw     Loss
Mexico               11             5         5            1 
Sweden              36            15        8          13
Korea Republic     3             2          0           1

Germany starts world cup 2018 with match aginst strong Mexico on 18 June. It plays Sweden on 24 June and South Korea on 26 June.

German Squad for the World Cup:

Goal Keepers: Manuel Neur (Bayern Munich), Marc Andre –ter- Stegan (Barcelona) and Kevin Trapp (PSG)

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

Mid Fielders: Julian Brandt ( Liverkusen), Julian Draxler ( PSG) , Leon Goretska( IIkay Gundogan ( Man City) ,Sami Khedira ( Juventus), Tony Kroos ( Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil ( Arsenal) and Sebastan Rudy ( Bayern Munich) 

Forwards: Mario Gomez ( Stuttgart ), Thomas Muller ( Bayern Munich) , Marco Reus ( Dortmund0, Timo Werner ( Leipzig) 

Germany qualified for the world cup with perfect 10 wins from 10 in UEFA Group C.

As many as 21 players scored in qualifying matches. 

Germany usually prefers 4-2-3-1 formation which they used in 7 of their 10 qualification matches. Mats Hummel and Thomas Muller played in most matches. Joshua Kimmich showed enough promise to step into the shoes of Philpp Lahm.

Low initially struggle to settle his first choice forwards with Miroslav Klose left over void to fill. Gotze, Sandro Wagner and Lars Stindl were tried in three matches. None of the three are in the squad.

Low is a tactician .He is not much pioneer of 4-2-3-1 formation. But even then against particular opposition he may apply that. In that formation the starting Xi may be 
Neur, Hector, Hummel, Boetang and Mimmich, Khedira and Kross, Reus, Ozil and Muller, Wegner.

Low may switch to 3-5-1-1 if situation demands. In such case the playing XI may be
Neur, Ginter , Hummel and  Kimmich,  Draxler, Goretska, Kheidira, Muller and Brandt, Reus , Gomez.

The group F is a little difficult .Germany will have to play out of skin to march ahead. But as it always happens they move slow and steady preserving energy for the business session.

Germany is ready in all aspect for their challengers in FIFA World Cup 2018. 

BDST: 1327 HRS, JUN 6, 2018

SI