Germany

By Tim Warren

Team: Germany

Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The Team)

World Cup appearances: 18 (winners in 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)

World Ranking: 1

Coach: Joachim Low

Captain: Manuel Neuer

Player to watch: Marco Reus
After succumbing to a serious ankle injury which prevented him from being part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil, Reus will be doing his all to help the team replicate the same success this year in Russia, as he gears up to play in his first World Cup campaign. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has scored seven goals this season in all competitions and been prominent in Germany’s lead-in to the tournament.

NowUC predictor:
The reigning world champions, ‘Die Mannschaft’ produced a flawless World Cup qualification campaign, with a perfect 10 wins from 10 games, scoring 43 goals and only conceding four times. The German squad has good depth to go far in the tournament and a wealth of experience to draw from, including Brazil 2014. Placed in ‘Group F’ alongside Mexico, Sweden and Korea Republic, Germany are expected to top the group, when they are likely to come up against ‘Group E’ qualifiers Brazil or Switzerland in the round-of-16. One of the favourites for Russia 2018, the Germans are hoping to claim their fifth World Cup trophy.

???????? #DieMannschaft ⭐⭐⭐⭐⏳#ZSMMN pic.twitter.com/vTjvfLhTdS

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 5, 2018