Germany national football team
The Germany national football team (German: Deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft) represents Germany in men's international football and played its first match in 1908.[7] The team is governed by the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund), founded in 1900.[11][12] Between 1949 and 1990, separate German national teams were recognised by FIFA due to Allied occupation and division: the DFB's team representing the Federal Republic of Germany (commonly referred to as West Germany in English between 1949 and 1990), the Saarland team representing the Saar Protectorate (1950–1956) and the East Germany team representing the German Democratic Republic (1952–1990). The latter two were absorbed along with their records;[13][14] the present team represents the reunified Federal Republic. The official name and code "Germany FR (FRG)" was shortened to "Germany (GER)" following reunification in 1990.
Germany is one of the most successful national teams in international competitions, having won four World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014), tied with Italy, and only one less than the most successful team, Brazil. Having won three European Championships (1972, 1980, 1996) Germany is along with Spain the record holder in that international competition. Germany won also a Confederations Cup (2017).[11] They have also been runners-up at the European Championship three times, and four times at the World Cup, with a further four third-place finishes at the World Cup.[11] East Germany won Olympic Gold in 1976.[15] Germany is also one of the only two nations to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup (the other being Spain).[16][17] By combined World Cups, Germany stands as the most successful football nation in history with six World Cups – four for the men's team and two for the women's. At the end of the 2014 World Cup, Germany earned the second highest Elo rating of any national football team in history, with 2,223 points.[18] Germany is also the only European nation that has won a FIFA World Cup in the Americas.
History
Early years (1899–1942)
On 18 April 1897, an early international game on German soil was played in Hamburg when a selection team from the Danish Football Association defeated a selection team from the Hamburg-Altona Football Association, 5–0.[19][20]
Between 1899 and 1901, prior to the formation of a national team, there were five international matches between Germany and English selection teams, which are today not recognised as official by either nation's football association (in part because England fielded their amateur side, which was an overflow or B team). All five matches ended in large defeats for the Germany teams, including a 12–0 loss at White Hart Lane in September 1901.[21] Eight years after the establishment of the German Football Association (DFB) in 1900, the first official match of the Germany national football team[d] was played on 5 April 1908, against Switzerland in Basel, with the Swiss winning 5–3.[7] A follow-up to the earlier series between England Amateurs and Germany occurred in March 1909 at Oxford's White House Ground[22] and resulted in Germany's largest official defeat to date: 9–0 (this time, the match was recognised and recorded as official by the DFB but not by the FA, again due to the amateur side being fielded).[21] These early confrontations formed the beginning of the rich rivalry between the two teams: one of the longest and most enduring international rivalries in football.[23]
Julius Hirsch was the first Jewish player to represent the Germany national football team, which he joined in 1911.[24][25] Hirsch scored four goals for Germany against the Netherlands in 1912, becoming the first German to score four goals in a single match.[26][27]
Gottfried Fuchs scored a world record 10 goals for Germany in a 16–0 win against Russia at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm on 1 July, becoming the top scorer of the tournament; his international record was not surpassed until 2001 when Australia's Archie Thompson scored 13 goals in a 31–0 defeat of American Samoa.[28] He was Jewish, and the German Football Association erased all references to him from their records between 1933 and 1945.[29][30] As of 2016, he was still the top German scorer for one match.[31]
At that time the players were selected by the DFB, as there was no dedicated coach. The first manager of the Germany national team was Otto Nerz, a school teacher from Mannheim, who served in the role from 1926 to 1936.[32] The German FA could not afford travel to Uruguay for the first World Cup staged in 1930 during the Great Depression, but finished third in the 1934 World Cup in their first appearance in the competition. After a poor showing at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Sepp Herberger became coach. In 1937 he put together a squad which was soon nicknamed the Breslau Elf (the Breslau Eleven) in recognition of their 8–0 win over Denmark in the then German city of Breslau, Lower Silesia (now Wrocław, Poland).[33][34]
After Austria became part of Germany in the Anschluss of March 1938, the Austrian national team – one of Europe's best sides at the time due to professionalism – was disbanded despite having already qualified for the 1938 World Cup. Nazi politicians ordered five or six ex-Austrian players, from the clubs Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, and First Vienna FC, to join the "all-German" team on short notice in a staged show of unity for political reasons. At the 1938 World Cup in France, this "united" Germany national team managed only a 1–1 draw against Switzerland and then lost the replay 2–4 in front of a hostile crowd in Paris. That early exit stands as Germany's worst World Cup result, and one of just three occasions the team failed to progress from the group stage – the next would not occur until the 2018 tournament, and it would be repeated in 2022.
During World War II, the team played over 30 international games between September 1939 and November 1942. National team games were then suspended, as most players had to join the armed forces. Many of the national team players were gathered together under coach Herberger as Rote Jäger through the efforts of a sympathetic air force officer trying to protect the footballers from the most dangerous wartime service.
Three Germany national teams (1945–1990)
After World War II, Germany was banned from competition in most sports until 1950. The DFB was not a full member of FIFA, and none of the three new German states – West Germany, East Germany, and Saarland – entered the 1950 World Cup qualifiers.
The Federal Republic of Germany, which was referred to as West Germany, continued the DFB. With recognition by FIFA and UEFA, the DFB maintained and continued the record of the pre-war team. Switzerland was the first team that played West Germany in 1950,[35] with the latter qualifying for the 1954 World Cup and the former hosting it.
The Saarland, a French protectorate between 1947 and 1956, did not join French organisations, and was barred from participating in pan-German ones. It sent their own team to the 1952 Summer Olympics and to the 1954 World Cup qualifiers. In 1957, Saarland acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 1949, the communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was founded. In 1952 the Deutscher Fußball-Verband der DDR (DFV) was established and the East Germany national football team took to the field. They were the only team to beat the 1974 FIFA World Cup winning West Germans in the only meeting of the two sides of the divided nation. East Germany won the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics. After German reunification in 1990, the eastern football competition was reintegrated into the DFB.
1954 World Cup victory
West Germany, captained by Fritz Walter, met in the 1954 World Cup against Turkey, Yugoslavia and Austria. When playing favourites Hungary in the group stage, West Germany lost 3–8, and faced the Hungarian "Mighty Magyars" again in the final. Hungary had gone unbeaten for 32 consecutive matches, and West Germany snapped the streak by winning 3–2, with Helmut Rahn scoring the winning goal.[36] The success is called "The Miracle of Bern" (Das Wunder von Bern).[37]
Memorable losses: Wembley goal and game of the century (1958–1970)
After finishing fourth in the 1958 World Cup and reaching only the quarter-finals in the 1962 World Cup, the DFB made changes. Professionalism was introduced, and the best clubs from the various Regionalligas were assembled into the new Bundesliga. In 1964, Helmut Schön took over as coach, replacing Herberger who had been in office for 28 years.
In the 1966 World Cup, West Germany reached the final after beating the USSR in the semi-final, facing hosts England. In extra time, the first goal by Geoff Hurst was one of the most contentious goals in the history of the World Cup: the linesman signalled the ball had crossed the line for a goal, after bouncing down from the crossbar, when replays showed it did not appear to have fully crossed the line. Hurst then scored another goal giving England a 4–2 win.[38][39]
West Germany in the 1970 World Cup knocked England out in the quarter-finals 3–2, before they suffered a 4–3 extra-time loss in the semi-final against Italy. This match with five goals in extra time is one of the most dramatic in World Cup history, and is called the "Game of the Century" in both Italy and Germany.[40][41] West Germany claimed third by beating Uruguay 1–0. Gerd Müller finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals.
1974 World Cup title on home soil
In 1971, Franz Beckenbauer became captain of the national team, and he led West Germany to victory at the European Championship at Euro 1972, defeating the Soviet Union 3–0 in the final.[42][43]
As hosts of the 1974 World Cup, they won their second World Cup, defeating the Netherlands 2–1 in the final in Munich.[44] Two matches in the 1974 World Cup stood out for West Germany. The first group stage saw a politically charged match as West Germany played a game against East Germany. The East Germans won 1–0 but it made a scant difference to West Germany as the West Germans advanced to the knockout stage.[45] The West Germans advanced to the final against the Johan Cruyff-led Dutch team and their brand of "Total Football". The Dutch took the lead from a penalty. However, West Germany tied the match on a penalty by Paul Breitner, and won it with Gerd Müller's fine finish soon after.[46][47]
Late 1970s and early 1980s
West Germany failed to defend their titles in the next two major international tournaments. They lost to Czechoslovakia in the UEFA Euro 1976 final in a penalty shootout 5–3,[48] their last penalty shootout loss in a major tournament as of 2022.[49]
In the 1978 World Cup, Germany was eliminated in the second group stage after losing 3–2 to Austria. Schön retired as coach afterward, and the post was taken over by his assistant, Jupp Derwall.
West Germany's first tournament under Derwall was successful, as they earned their second European title at Euro 1980 after defeating Belgium 2–1 in the final.[50] West Germany started the 1982 World Cup with a 1–2 upset by newcomers Algeria in their first match,[51] but advanced to the second round with a controversial 1–0 win over Austria. In the semi-final against France, they tied the match 3–3 and won the penalty shootout 5–4.[52][53] In the final, they were defeated by Italy 1–3.[54]
During this period, West Germany's Gerd Müller racked up fourteen goals in two World Cups (1970 and 1974). His ten goals in 1970 are the third-most ever in a tournament. Müller's all-time World Cup record of 14 goals was broken by Ronaldo in 2006; this was then further broken by Miroslav Klose in 2014 with 16 goals.[55]
Beckenbauer's managing success (1984–1990)
After West Germany were eliminated in the first round of Euro 1984, Franz Beckenbauer returned to the national team to replace Derwall as manager.[56] At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, West Germany finished as runners-up for the second consecutive tournament after beating France 2–0 in the semi-finals, but losing to the Diego Maradona-led Argentina in the final, 2–3.[57][58] In Euro 1988, after drawing Italy 1–1 and beating both Denmark and Spain 2–0 in the group stage,[59] West Germany's hopes of winning the tournament on home soil were spoiled by the Netherlands, as the Dutch beat them 2–1 in the semi-finals.[60][61]
At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, West Germany won their third World Cup title, in its unprecedented third consecutive final appearance.[62] Captained by Lothar Matthäus, they defeated Yugoslavia (4–1), UAE (5–1), the Netherlands (2–1), Czechoslovakia (1–0), and England (1–1, 4–3 on penalty kicks) on the way to a final rematch against Argentina in Rome.[63][64] West Germany won 1–0, with the only goal being a penalty scored in the 85th minute by Andreas Brehme.[62] Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as the national team's captain in 1974, thus became the first person to win the World Cup as both captain and manager,[56] and the second to win as player and manager, after Mario Zagallo of Brazil.
Olympic football
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Olympic Games | ||
| 1976 Montreal | Team | |
| 1980 Moscow | Team | |
| 1964 Tokyo | Team | |
| 1972 Munich | Team | |
| 1988 Seoul | Team | |
East Germany did however achieve significantly greater success in Olympic football than the amateur teams fielded by the Western NOC of Germany due to using its elite players from the top domestic league. In 1956, 1960, and 1964 both states had sent a United Team of Germany. For 1964, the East German side had beaten their Western counterparts in order to be selected. They went on to win the bronze medal for Germany. As GDR, they won bronze in 1972 in Munich, gold in 1976 in Montreal, and silver in 1980 in Moscow.
Prior to 1984, Olympic football was an amateur event, meaning that only non-professional players could participate.[e] Due to this, West Germany was never able to achieve the same degree of success at the Olympics as at the World Cup. The first medal coming in the 1988 Olympics, when they won the bronze medal after beating Italy 3–0 in the 3rd place match.[65] West Germany also reached the second round in both 1972 and 1984. On the other hand, due to having an ability to field its top-level players who were classified as amateurs on a technicality East Germany did better, winning a gold, a silver and two bronze medals (one representing the United Team of Germany).
Berti Vogts years (1990–1998)
In February 1990, months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany and West Germany were drawn together in UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 5. In November 1990, the East German association Deutscher Fußball-Verband integrated into the DFB, by which time the East Germany team had ceased operations, playing its last match on 12 September 1990. The unified Germany national team completed the European Championship qualifying group. The East German 1990–91 league continued, with a restructuring of German leagues in 1991–92. The first game with a unified Germany national team was against Switzerland on 19 December.[66]
After the 1990 World Cup, assistant Berti Vogts took over as the national team coach from the retiring Beckenbauer. In Euro 1992, Germany reached the final, but lost 0–2 to underdogs Denmark.[67] In the 1994 World Cup, they were upset 1–2 in the quarterfinals by Bulgaria.[68][69]
Reunified Germany won its first major international title at Euro 1996, becoming European champions for the third time.[70] They defeated hosts England in the semi-finals,[71] and the Czech Republic 2–1 in the final on a golden goal in extra time.[72]
However, in the 1998 World Cup, Germany were eliminated in the quarterfinals in a 0–3 defeat to Croatia, all goals being scored after defender Christian Wörns received a straight red card.[73] Vogts stepped down afterwards and was replaced by Erich Ribbeck.[74]
Erich Ribbeck and Rudi Völler years (2000–2004)
In Euro 2000, the team went out in the first round, drawing with Romania, then suffering a 1–0 defeat to England and were routed 3–0 by Portugal (which fielded their backup players, having already advanced).[75] Ribbeck resigned, and was replaced by Rudi Völler.[76]
Coming into the 2002 World Cup, expectations of Germany were low due to poor results in the qualifiers, and not directly qualifying for the finals for the first time. The team advanced through group play, and in the knockout stages they produced three consecutive 1–0 wins against Paraguay,[77] the United States,[78] and co-hosts South Korea. Oliver Neuville scored two minutes from time against Paraguay and Michael Ballack scored both goals in the US and South Korea games, although he picked up a second yellow card against South Korea for a tactical foul and was suspended for the subsequent match.[79] This set up a final against Brazil, the first World Cup meeting between the two. Germany lost 0–2 thanks to two Ronaldo goals.[80] Nevertheless, German captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball,[81] the first time in the World Cup that a goalkeeper was named the best player of the tournament.[82]
Germany once again exited in the first round at Euro 2004, drawing their first two matches and losing the third to the Czech Republic (who had fielded a second-string team).[83] Völler resigned afterwards, and Jürgen Klinsmann was appointed head coach.[84][85]
Resurgence under Klinsmann (2004–2006)
Klinsmann's main task was to lead the national team to a good showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He relieved goalkeeper Kahn of the captaincy and announced that Kahn and longtime backup Jens Lehmann would be competing for the position of starting goaltender, a decision that angered Kahn and Lehmann eventually won that contest.[86] Expectations for the team were low, which was not helped by veteran defender Christian Wörns being dropped (after Wörns criticised Klinsmann for designating him only as a backup player on the squad), a choice roundly panned in Germany. Italy routed Germany 4–1 in a March 2006 exhibition game, and Klinsmann bore the brunt of the criticism as the team was ranked only 22nd in the world entering the 2006 World Cup.[87]
As World Cup hosts, Germany won all three group stage matches to finish top of their group. The team defeated Sweden 2–0 in the round of 16,[88] and Argentina in the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout.[89][90][91] The semi-final against Italy was scoreless until near the end of extra time when Germany conceded two goals.[92] In the third place match, Germany defeated Portugal 3–1.[93] Miroslav Klose was awarded the Golden Boot for his tournament-leading five goals.[94]
Löw era (2006–2021)
Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012
Germany's entry into the Euro 2008 qualifying round was marked by the promotion of Joachim Löw to head coach, since Klinsmann resigned.[95] At UEFA Euro 2008, Germany won two out of three matches in group play to advance to the knockout round.[96] They defeated Portugal 3–2 in the quarterfinal,[97] and won their semi-final against Turkey.[98] Germany lost the final against Spain 0–1, finishing as the runners-up.[99]
In the 2010 World Cup, Germany won the group and advanced to the knockout stage. In the round of 16, Germany defeated England 4–1.[100] The game controversially had a valid goal by Frank Lampard disallowed.[101][102][103] In the quarter-finals, Germany defeated Argentina 4–0,[104] and Miroslav Klose tied German Gerd Müller's record of 14 World Cup goals.[105] In the semi-final, Germany lost 1–0 to Spain.[106] Germany defeated Uruguay 3–2 to take third place (their second third place after 2006).[107] German Thomas Müller won the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player Award.[108][109]
In Euro 2012, Germany was placed in group B along with Portugal, Netherlands, and Denmark. Germany won all three group matches. Germany defeated Greece in the quarter-final and set a record of 15 consecutive wins in all competitive matches.[110] In the semi-finals, Germany lost to Italy, 1–2.
2014 World Cup victory
Germany were placed in Group G of the 2014 World Cup,[111] with Portugal, Ghana, and the United States. They first faced Portugal in a match billed by some as the "team of all the talents against the team of The Talent (Cristiano Ronaldo)", routing the Portuguese 4–0 thanks to a hat-trick by Thomas Müller.[112][113] In their match with Ghana, they led the game with Götze's second half goal, but then conceded two consecutive goals. Klose scored a goal to level Germany 2–2, his 15th World Cup goal to join former Brazil striker Ronaldo at the pinnacle of World Cup Finals scorers. They then went on to defeat the Klinsmann-led United States 1–0, securing them a spot in the round of sixteen against Algeria.
The round of sixteen knockout match against Algeria remained goalless after regulation time, resulting in extra time. In the 92nd minute, André Schürrle scored a goal from a Thomas Müller pass. Mesut Özil scored Germany's second goal in the 120th minute. Algeria managed to score one goal in injury time and the match ended 2–1. Germany secured a place in the quarter-final, where they would face France.
In the quarter-final match against France, Mats Hummels scored in the 13th minute. Germany won the game 1–0 to advance to a record fourth consecutive semi-finals.[114]
The 7–1 semi-final win against Brazil was one of the most memorable games in World Cup history; Germany scored four goals in just less than seven minutes and were 5–0 up by the 30th minute with goals from Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Sami Khedira and two from Toni Kroos. Germany's 7–0 in the second half was the highest score against Brazil in a single game. Germany conceded a late goal to Brazil's Oscar. It was Brazil's worst ever World Cup defeat,[115] whilst Germany broke multiple World Cup records with the win, including the record broken by Klose, the first team to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals, the first team to score seven goals in a World Cup Finals knockout phase game, the fastest five consecutive goals in World Cup history (four of which in just 400 seconds), and the first team to score five goals in the first half in a World Cup semi-final.[116]
The World Cup final was held at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on 13 July, and billed as the world's best player (Lionel Messi) versus the world's best team (Germany).[117][118] Mario Götze's 113th-minute goal helped Germany beat Argentina 1–0, becoming the first-ever European team to win a FIFA World Cup in the Americas and the second European team to win the title outside Europe.[119][120]
Euro 2016 to 2017 Confederations Cup
After several players retired from the team following the 2014 World Cup win, including Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose, the team had a disappointing start in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers. They defeated Scotland 2–1 at home, then suffered a 2–0 loss at Poland (the first in their history), a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, and a 4–0 win over Gibraltar. The year ended with an away 1–0 friendly win against Spain.
Troubles during qualifying for the 2016 European Championship continued, drawing at home, as well as losing away, to Ireland; the team also only narrowly defeated Scotland on two occasions, but handily won the return against Poland and both games against Gibraltar (who competed for the first time). They would eventually win their group and qualify for the tournament through a 2–1 victory against Georgia on 11 October 2015.
On 13 November 2015, Germany played a friendly against France in Paris when a series of terrorist attacks took place in the city, some in the direct vicinity of the Stade de France, where the game was held.[121] For security reasons, the team spent the night inside the stadium, accompanied by the French squad who stayed behind in an act of comradery.[122] Four days later, Germany was scheduled to face the Netherlands at Hanover's HDI-Arena, in another friendly. After initial security reservations, the DFB decided to play the match on 15 November.[123] After reports about a concrete threat to the stadium, the match was cancelled 90 minutes before kickoff.[124]
At UEFA Euro 2016, Germany began their campaign for a fourth European title with a 2–0 win against Ukraine. Against Poland, Germany was held to a 0–0 draw but concluded Group C play with a 1–0 win against Northern Ireland. In the Round of 16, Germany faced Slovakia and earned a comfortable 3–0 win. Germany then faced off against rivals Italy in the quarter-finals. Mesut Özil opened the scoring in the 65th minute for Germany, before Leonardo Bonucci drew even after converting a penalty in the 78th minute. The score remained 1–1 after extra time, and Germany beat Italy 6–5 in a penalty shootout. It was the first time Germany had overcome Italy in a major tournament.[125][126] The Germans lost to hosts France 2–0 in the semi-finals, their first competitive win against Germany in 58 years.[127]
Germany qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup after winning the 2014 World Cup, and won the last version of the Confederations Cup after a 1–0 win against Chile in the final at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia.[128]
Disappointment at the 2018 World Cup, 2018–19 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020
After winning all their qualifying matches and the Confederations Cup the previous year, Germany started their 2018 World Cup campaign with a defeat to Mexico, their first loss in an opening match since the 1982 World Cup.[129] Germany defeated Sweden 2–1 in their second game via an injury-time winner from Toni Kroos, but was subsequently eliminated following a 2–0 loss to South Korea, their first exit in the first round since 1938 and first in the group stage since the format had been reintroduced in 1950. With this result Germany became the fifth defending champions to be eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup, following Brazil in 1966, France in 2002, Italy in 2010, and Spain in 2014.[130][131]
Following the World Cup, Germany's struggles continued into the inaugural UEFA Nations League. After a 0–0 draw at home against France, they lost 3–0 against the Netherlands[132] and 1–2 in the rematch against France three days later; the latter result being their fourth loss in six competitive matches.[133] These results meant that Germany could not advance to the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals and faced the prospect of possible relegation to League B in the next Nations League.[133]
After the Netherlands' win against France, the relegation to League B was originally confirmed, but due to the overhaul of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, Germany was spared from relegation to League B.[134]
In March 2021, the DFB announced that Löw would step down as Germany's manager after UEFA Euro 2020.[135] Later that month, Germany lost 1–2 at home to North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, their first World Cup qualification defeat since losing 5–1 to England in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and only their third in history.[136] On 25 May 2021, the DFB announced that former assistant manager Hansi Flick will replace Löw as head coach.[137]
At Euro 2020 (delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Germany were drawn with World Cup champions France (to whom they lost 1–0) and reigning European champions Portugal (whom they defeated 4–2, albeit with the help of two Portuguese own goals), with each group having only two guaranteed qualifiers for the next phase, plus a chance for the third-placed team. In the final group match, the Hungarians took the lead twice only to draw. Germany then lost 2–0 to England in the round of 16, their first round of 16 exit in a major tournament since the 1938 World Cup.[138]
Further decline under Flick (2021–2023)
Following Germany's disappointment at Euro 2020, Hansi Flick, former Bayern Munich manager, took over as coach of the national team. Success only followed from there, as Germany went on to beat Liechtenstein, Armenia, Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia in a month's succession. On 11 October 2021, Germany beat North Macedonia 4–0 to become the first team (outside of the hosts) to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[139]
In the 2022–23 Nations League, Germany recorded their first-ever competitive win against Italy as the Germans beat the visitors 5–2. This was Germany's fourth game and first win in the league, however the Germans finished third in the group.[140]
In the 2022 World Cup, Germany were drawn into Group E with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica. The campaign started with a shock 2–1 defeat to Japan.[141] Germany drew 1–1 with Spain,[142] and then were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament, despite a 4–2 win over Costa Rica, missing out on a place in the knockout stages on goal difference.[143]
After several poor performances following Germany's World Cup exit – including a 1–4 home loss to Japan – Flick was dismissed on 10 September 2023, while Rudi Völler took interim charge of the team, leading the team to a 2–1 victory over France.[144]
Current years (2023–present)
On 22 September 2023, Julian Nagelsmann was named the new head coach.[145]
Despite a rocky rest of 2023, only winning one out of four games, Germany found itself back to its form in the new year with a second victory against France, where Florian Wirtz scored Germany's fastest goal to date at just 7 seconds in.[146] This was followed by a 2–1 win over traditional rivals the Netherlands, further strengthening hopes for a successful UEFA Euro 2024 campaign at home.[147]
Team image
Kits and crest
The national team's home kit has been traditionally a white shirt, black shorts, and white socks. The colours are derived from the 19th-century flag of the North German State of Prussia.[148] Since 1988, many of the home kit's designs incorporate details patterned after the modern German flag. For the 2014 World Cup, Germany's kit was white shorts rather than the traditional black due to FIFA's kit clashing rule for the tournament.[149] The away shirt colour has changed several times. Historically, a green shirt with white shorts is the most often used alternative colour combination, derived from the DFB colours – though it is often erroneously reported that the choice is in recognition of the fact that Ireland, whose home shirts are green, were the first nation to play Germany in a friendly game after World War II. However, the first team to play Germany after WWII, as stated above, was actually Switzerland.[150] Other colours such as red, grey and black have also been used.
A change from black to red came in 2005 on the request of Jürgen Klinsmann,[151] but Germany played every game at the 2006 World Cup in its home white colours. In 2010, the away colours then changed back to a black shirt and white shorts, but at the World Cup, the team dressed up in the black shorts from the home kit. The kit used by Germany returned to a green shirt on its away kit, but then changed again to red-and-black striped shirts with white stripes and letters and black shorts.
Adidas AG is the longstanding kit provider to the national team, a sponsorship that began in 1954 and is contracted to continue until at least 2022.[152] In the 70s, Germany wore Erima kits (a German brand, formerly a subsidiary of Adidas).[153][26]
As a common practice, three stars were added above the crest in 1996, symbolising Germany's World Cup titles in 1954, 1974 and 1990. In 2014, a fourth star was added after Germany were crowned world champions for the fourth time.
Kit suppliers
| Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leuzela | unknown–1954 | Germany wore Leuzela kits during the 1954 FIFA World Cup[154] |
| Umbro | 1966–1970 | Germany wore Umbro kits during the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cups[154] |
| Adidas | 1954–2026 | In the 1970s, Germany wore Erima kits (a German brand, formerly a subsidiary of Adidas).[153][26] |
| Nike | 2027–2034 |
Kit deals
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2018) |
| Kit supplier | Period | Contract | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announcement | Duration | |||
| Adidas | 1954–2026 | 20 June 2016 | 2019–2022 (4 years)[155] | Per year: €50 million ($56.7 million) Total: €250 million ($283.5 million)[156][157] |
| 10 September 2018 | 2023–2026 (4 years) | Undisclosed[158] | ||
| Nike | 2027–2034 | 21 March 2024 | 2027–2034 (8 years) | Per year: €100 million ($108 million)[159] |
Home stadium
Germany plays its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country. They have played home matches in 43 different cities so far, including venues that were German at the time of the match, such as Vienna, Austria, which staged three games between 1938 and 1942.
National team matches have been held most often in Berlin (46 matches), which was the venue of Germany's first home match (in 1908 against England). Other common host cities include Hamburg (34 matches), Stuttgart (32), Hanover (28) and Dortmund. Munich also hosted noteworthy matches including the 1974 World Cup final.
Media coverage
Germany's qualifying and friendly matches are televised by privately owned RTL; Nations League by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last twelve months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.[160]
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
| 16 June 2023 Friendly | Poland | 1–0 | Germany | Warsaw |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
| Report | Stadium: Stadion Narodowy Attendance: 57,098 Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel) |
| 20 June 2023 Friendly | Germany | 0–2 | Colombia | Gelsenkirchen |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Arena AufSchalke Attendance: 50,421 Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey) |
| 14 October 2023 Friendly | United States | 1–3 | Germany | East Hartford |
| 15:00 EDT (UTC−04:00) |
| Report | Stadium: Pratt & Whitney Stadium Attendance: 37,743 Referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico) |
| 17 October 2023 Friendly | Mexico | 2–2 | Germany | Philadelphia, United States |
| 20:00 EDT (UTC−04:00) | Report | Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field Attendance: 62,284 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez (United States) |
| 21 November 2023 Friendly | Austria | 2–0 | Germany | Vienna |
| 20:45 CET (UTC+01:00) |
| Report | Stadium: Ernst-Happel-Stadion Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) |
2024
| 23 March 2024 Friendly | France | 0–2 | Germany | Décines-Charpieu |
| 21:00 CET (UTC+01:00) | Report | Stadium: Parc Olympique Lyonnais Attendance: 56,000 Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain) |
| 26 March 2024 Friendly | Germany | 2–1 | Netherlands | Frankfurt |
| 20:45 CET (UTC+01:00) |
| Report |
| Stadium: Waldstadion Attendance: 48,390 Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) |
| 7 June 2024 Friendly | Germany | v | Greece | Mönchengladbach |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Borussia-Park |
| 14 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group A | Germany | v | Scotland | Munich |
| 21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Allianz Arena |
| 23 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group A | Switzerland | v | Germany | Frankfurt, Germany |
| 21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Waldstadion |
| 7 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Germany | v | Hungary | |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report |
| 10 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Netherlands | v | Germany | |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report |
| 11 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Bosnia and Herzegovina | v | Germany | |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report |
| 14 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Germany | v | Netherlands | |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report |
| 16 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Germany | v | Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+01:00) | Report |
Coaching staff
- As of March 2024.[161]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Julian Nagelsmann |
| Assistant coaches | Mads Buttgereit Benjamin Glück Sandro Wagner |
| Goalkeeping coaches | Michael Fuchs Andreas Kronenberg |
| Fitness coach | Nicklas Dietrich |
| Athletic coach | Krunoslav Banovcic |
| Doctor | Tim Meyer |
| Sporting director | Rudi Völler |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendly matches against France and the Netherlands on 23 and 26 March 2024, respectively.[162]
- Information correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against the Netherlands.[163]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | GK | Bernd Leno | 4 March 1992 | 9 | 0 | Fulham |
| 22 | GK | Marc-André ter Stegen | 30 April 1992 | 40 | 0 | Barcelona |
| 24 | GK | Oliver Baumann | 2 June 1990 | 0 | 0 | TSG Hoffenheim |
| 2 | DF | Antonio Rüdiger | 3 March 1993 | 68 | 3 | Real Madrid |
| 3 | DF | David Raum | 22 April 1998 | 20 | 0 | RB Leipzig |
| 4 | DF | Jonathan Tah | 11 February 1996 | 23 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 6 | DF | Joshua Kimmich | 8 February 1995 | 84 | 6 | Bayern Munich |
| 15 | DF | Robin Koch | 17 July 1996 | 8 | 0 | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| 16 | DF | Waldemar Anton | 20 July 1996 | 1 | 0 | VfB Stuttgart |
| 18 | DF | Maximilian Mittelstädt | 18 March 1997 | 2 | 1 | VfB Stuttgart |
| 20 | DF | Benjamin Henrichs | 23 February 1997 | 14 | 0 | RB Leipzig |
| 5 | MF | Pascal Groß | 15 June 1991 | 5 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 8 | MF | Toni Kroos | 4 January 1990 | 108 | 17 | Real Madrid |
| 10 | MF | Jamal Musiala | 26 February 2003 | 27 | 2 | Bayern Munich |
| 11 | MF | Chris Führich | 9 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | VfB Stuttgart |
| 17 | MF | Florian Wirtz | 3 May 2003 | 16 | 1 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 21 | MF | İlkay Gündoğan (captain) | 24 October 1990 | 75 | 18 | Barcelona |
| 23 | MF | Robert Andrich | 22 September 1994 | 3 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 7 | FW | Kai Havertz | 11 June 1999 | 44 | 15 | Arsenal |
| 9 | FW | Niclas Füllkrug | 9 February 1993 | 15 | 11 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 13 | FW | Thomas Müller | 13 September 1989 | 128 | 45 | Bayern Munich |
| 14 | FW | Maximilian Beier | 17 October 2002 | 0 | 0 | TSG Hoffenheim |
| 26 | FW | Deniz Undav | 19 July 1996 | 1 | 0 | VfB Stuttgart |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Manuel Neuer | 27 March 1986 | 117 | 0 | Bayern Munich | v. France, 23 March 2024 INJ |
| GK | Kevin Trapp | 8 July 1990 | 9 | 0 | Eintracht Frankfurt | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| GK | Janis Blaswich | 2 May 1991 | 0 | 0 | RB Leipzig | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| DF | Jan-Niklas Beste | 4 January 1999 | 0 | 0 | 1. FC Heidenheim | v. France, 23 March 2024 INJ |
| DF | Mats Hummels | 16 December 1988 | 78 | 5 | Borussia Dortmund | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| DF | Niklas Süle | 3 September 1995 | 49 | 1 | Borussia Dortmund | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| DF | Robin Gosens | 5 July 1994 | 20 | 2 | Union Berlin | v. Turkey, 18 November 2023 |
| DF | Malick Thiaw | 8 August 2001 | 3 | 0 | Milan | v. Turkey, 18 November 2023 |
| DF | Nico Schlotterbeck | 1 December 1999 | 11 | 0 | Borussia Dortmund | v. France, 12 September 2023 |
| DF | Matthias Ginter | 19 January 1994 | 51 | 2 | SC Freiburg | v. Colombia, 20 June 2023 |
| DF | Thilo Kehrer | 21 September 1996 | 27 | 0 | Monaco | v. Colombia, 20 June 2023 |
| DF | Marius Wolf | 27 May 1995 | 5 | 0 | Borussia Dortmund | v. Colombia, 20 June 2023 |
| DF | Lukas Klostermann | 3 June 1996 | 22 | 0 | RB Leipzig | v. Poland, 16 June 2023 |
| MF | Aleksandar Pavlović | 3 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | Bayern Munich | v. France, 23 March 2024 INJ |
| MF | Leroy Sané | 11 January 1996 | 59 | 13 | Bayern Munich | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| MF | Leon Goretzka | 6 February 1995 | 57 | 14 | Bayern Munich | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| MF | Julian Brandt | 2 May 1996 | 47 | 3 | Borussia Dortmund | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| MF | Jonas Hofmann | 14 July 1992 | 23 | 4 | Bayer Leverkusen | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| MF | Grischa Prömel | 9 January 1995 | 0 | 0 | TSG Hoffenheim | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| MF | Felix Nmecha | 10 October 2000 | 1 | 0 | Borussia Dortmund | v. Turkey, 18 November 2023 INJ |
| MF | Emre Can | 12 January 1994 | 43 | 1 | Borussia Dortmund | v. France, 12 September 2023 |
| FW | Serge Gnabry | 14 July 1995 | 45 | 22 | Bayern Munich | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| FW | Marvin Ducksch | 7 March 1994 | 2 | 0 | Werder Bremen | v. Austria, 21 November 2023 |
| FW | Kevin Behrens | 3 February 1991 | 1 | 0 | VfL Wolfsburg | v. Mexico, 18 October 2023 |
| FW | Kevin Schade | 27 November 2001 | 3 | 0 | Brentford | v. France, 12 September 2023 |
| FW | Timo Werner | 6 March 1996 | 57 | 24 | Tottenham Hotspur | v. Poland, 16 June 2023 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury | ||||||
Individual records
Player records
- As of 26 March 2024.[164]
- Players in bold are still active with Germany.
- This list does not include players who represented East Germany.
Most capped players
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lothar Matthäus | 150 | 23 | 1980–2000 |
| 2 | Miroslav Klose | 137 | 71 | 2001–2014 |
| 3 | Lukas Podolski | 130 | 49 | 2004–2017 |
| 4 | Thomas Müller | 128 | 45 | 2010–present |
| 5 | Bastian Schweinsteiger | 121 | 24 | 2004–2016 |
| 6 | Manuel Neuer | 117 | 0 | 2009–present |
| 7 | Philipp Lahm | 113 | 5 | 2004–2014 |
| 8 | Jürgen Klinsmann | 108 | 47 | 1987–1998 |
| Toni Kroos | 17 | 2010–present | ||
| 10 | Jürgen Kohler | 105 | 2 | 1986–1998 |
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Average | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miroslav Klose (list) | 71 | 137 | 0.52 | 2001–2014 |
| 2 | Gerd Müller (list) | 68 | 62 | 1.1 | 1966–1974 |
| 3 | Lukas Podolski | 49 | 130 | 0.38 | 2004–2017 |
| 4 | Rudi Völler | 47 | 90 | 0.52 | 1982–1994 |
| Jürgen Klinsmann | 108 | 0.44 | 1987–1998 | ||
| 6 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 45 | 95 | 0.47 | 1976–1986 |
| Thomas Müller | 128 | 0.35 | 2010–present | ||
| 8 | Uwe Seeler | 43 | 72 | 0.6 | 1954–1970 |
| 9 | Michael Ballack | 42 | 98 | 0.43 | 1999–2010 |
| 10 | Oliver Bierhoff | 37 | 70 | 0.53 | 1996–2002 |
Captains
| Player | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fritz Szepan | 1934–1939 | |
| Paul Janes | 1939–1942 | |
| Fritz Walter | 1951–1956 | First official captain of the West Germany national football team World Cup winning captain (1954) |
| Hans Schäfer | 1952–1962 | First West German player to play in three World Cup tournaments (1954, 1958, 1962) |
| Helmut Rahn | 1958–1959 | |
| Herbert Erhardt | 1959–1962 | |
| Hans Schäfer | 1962 | |
| Uwe Seeler | 1962–1970 | |
| Wolfgang Overath | 1970–1972 | |
| Franz Beckenbauer | 1972–1977 | European Championship winning captain (1972) World Cup winning captain (1974) |
| Berti Vogts | 1977–1978 | |
| Sepp Maier | 1978–1979 | |
| Bernard Dietz | 1979–1981 | European Championship winning captain (1980) |
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 1981–1986 | |
| Harald Schumacher | 1986 | |
| Klaus Allofs | 1986–1987 | |
| Lothar Matthäus | 1988–1994 | World Cup winning captain (1990) First captain of the unified Germany national football team |
| Jürgen Klinsmann | 1995–1998 | European Championship winning captain (1996) |
| Oliver Bierhoff | 1998–2001 | |
| Oliver Kahn | 2001–2004 | |
| Michael Ballack | 2004–2010 | |
| Philipp Lahm | 2010–2014 | World Cup winning captain (2014) |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | 2014–2016 | |
| Manuel Neuer | 2016–2017, 2017–2023 | |
| Julian Draxler | 2017 | Confederations Cup winning captain (2017) |
| İlkay Gündoğan | 2023–present |
Player of the Year
- 2010: Bastian Schweinsteiger[165]
- 2011: Mesut Özil[165]
- 2012: Mesut Özil[165]
- 2013: Mesut Özil[165]
- 2014: Toni Kroos[165]
- 2015: Mesut Özil[165]
- 2016: Mesut Özil[166]
- 2017: Joshua Kimmich[167]
- 2018: Marco Reus
- 2019: Matthias Ginter[168]
- 2020: Manuel Neuer[169]
- 2021: Joshua Kimmich[170]
- 2022: Jamal Musiala[171]
- 2023: Emre Can[172]
Manager records
- Most manager appearances
- Joachim Löw: 198
Team records
15 consecutive wins in all competitive matches (world record)
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Type | Scorers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 July 2010 | Uruguay | Port Elizabeth, RSA | * | 3–2 | WC 2010 3rd place | Müller 19', Jansen 56', Khedira 82' |
| 3 September 2010 | Belgium | Brussels, BEL | A | 1–0 | EC 2012 Qualification | Klose 51' |
| 7 September 2010 | Azerbaijan | Köln | H | 6–1 | EC 2012 Qualification | Westermann 28', Podolski 45+1', Klose 45+2', 90+2', Sadygov 53' (o.g.), Badstuber 86' |
| 8 October 2010 | Turkey | Berlin | H | 3–0 | EC 2012 Qualification | Klose 42', 87', Özil 79' |
| 12 October 2010 | Kazakhstan | Astana, KAZ | A | 3–0 | EC 2012 Qualification | Klose 48', Gómez 76', Podolski 85' |
| 26 March 2011 | Kazakhstan | Kaiserslautern | H | 4–0 | EC 2012 Qualification | Klose 3', 88', Müller 25', 43' |
| 3 June 2011 | Austria | Vienna, AUT | A | 2–1 | EC 2012 Qualification | Gómez 44', 90' |
| 7 June 2011 | Azerbaijan | Baku, AZE | A | 3–1 | EC 2012 Qualification | Özil 30', Gómez 41', Schürrle 90+3' |
| 2 September 2011 | Austria | Gelsenkirchen | H | 6–2 | EC 2012 Qualification | Klose 8', Özil 23', 47', Podolski 28', Schürrle 83', Götze 88' |
| 7 October 2011 | Turkey | Istanbul, TUR | A | 3–1 | EC 2012 Qualification | Gómez 35', Müller 66', Schweinsteiger 86' (pen.) |
| 11 October 2011 | Belgium | Düsseldorf | H | 3–1 | EC 2012 Qualification | Özil 30', Schürrle 33', Gómez 48' |
| 9 June 2012 | Portugal | Lviv, UKR | * | 1–0 | EC 2012 Group | Gómez 72' |
| 13 June 2012 | Netherlands | Kharkiv, UKR | * | 2–1 | EC 2012 Group | Gómez 24', 38' |
| 17 June 2012 | Denmark | Lviv, UKR | * | 2–1 | EC 2012 Group | Podolski 19', Bender 80' |
| 22 June 2012 | Greece | Gdańsk, POL | * | 4–2 | EC 2012 Quarter final | Lahm 39', Khedira 61', Klose 68', Reus 74' |
Competitive record
- 1930–1938 as → → Germany
- 1950–1990 as West Germany
- 1994–present as Germany
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
Germany has won the FIFA World Cup four times, behind only Brazil's five.[173] It has finished as runners-up four times.[173] In terms of semi-final appearances, Germany leads with 13, two more than Brazil's 11, who have participated in every single tournament.[173] From 1954 to 2014 (16 tournaments), Germany reached at least the stage of the last eight teams, before being eliminated in the group stage in 2018.[173] Germany has also qualified for every one of the 19 World Cups for which it has entered – it did not enter the inaugural competition in Uruguay in 1930 for economic reasons, and were banned from the 1950 World Cup as the DFB was reinstated as a FIFA member only two months after this tournament.
Germany has also won the European Championship three times, the joint-most with Spain. France and Italy, with two titles each, are the only other multiple winners. Germany finished as runners-up three times.[174] The Germans have qualified for every European Championship tournament except for the first European Championship they entered in 1968.[174] For that tournament, Germany was in the only group of three teams and thus only played four qualifying games. The deciding game was a scoreless draw in Albania which gave Yugoslavia the edge, having won in their neighbour country. The team finished outside the top eight in only three occasions: group stage eliminations in 2000[175] and 2004[176] alongside a round of 16 exit in 2020. In the other editions Germany participated in they reached at least the semi-finals nine times, an unparalleled record in Europe.
See also East Germany and Saarland for the results of these separate Germany teams, and Austria for the team that was merged into the Germany national team from 1938 to 1945.
FIFA World Cup
| FIFA World Cup finals record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Campaign | |
| 1930 | Did not enter | Did not enter | — | ||||||||||||||
| 1934 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 8 | Squad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1934 | |
| 1938 | First round | 10th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 1938 | |
| 1950 | Banned from entering | Banned from entering | 1950 | ||||||||||||||
| 1954 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 14 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 1954 | |
| 1958 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 14 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions | 1958 | ||||||
| 1962 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 1962 | |
| 1966 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 1966 | |
| 1970 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 10 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 1970 | |
| 1974 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | 1974 | ||||||
| 1978 | Second group stage | 6th | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions | 1978 | ||||||
| 1982 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | Squad | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 1982 | |
| 1986 | 2nd | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | Squad | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 9 | 1986 | ||
| 1990 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 5 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 1990 | |
| 1994 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions | 1994 | ||||||
| 1998 | 7th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | Squad | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 9 | 1998 | ||
| 2002 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | Squad | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 12 | 2002 | |
germany, national, football, team, this, article, about, team, women, team, germany, women, national, football, team, german, deutsche, fußballnationalmannschaft, represents, germany, international, football, played, first, match, 1908, team, governed, german,. This article is about the men s team For the women s team see Germany women s national football team The Germany national football team German Deutsche Fussballnationalmannschaft represents Germany in men s international football and played its first match in 1908 7 The team is governed by the German Football Association Deutscher Fussball Bund founded in 1900 11 12 Between 1949 and 1990 separate German national teams were recognised by FIFA due to Allied occupation and division the DFB s team representing the Federal Republic of Germany commonly referred to as West Germany in English between 1949 and 1990 the Saarland team representing the Saar Protectorate 1950 1956 and the East Germany team representing the German Democratic Republic 1952 1990 The latter two were absorbed along with their records 13 14 the present team represents the reunified Federal Republic The official name and code Germany FR FRG was shortened to Germany GER following reunification in 1990 GermanyNickname s DFB Team DFB Team Nationalelf National Eleven DFB Elf DFB Eleven Die Mannschaft The Team a AssociationDeutscher Fussball Bund DFB ConfederationUEFAHead coachJulian NagelsmannCaptainIlkay GundoganMost capsLothar Matthaus 150 Top scorerMiroslav Klose 71 Home stadiumVariousFIFA codeGERFirst coloursSecond coloursFIFA rankingCurrent16 4 April 2024 5 Highest1 6 December 1992 August 1993 December 1993 March 1994 June 1994 July 2014 June 2015 July 2017 September 2017 June 2018 Lowest22 6 March 2006 First international Switzerland 5 3 Germany Basel Switzerland 5 April 1908 7 Biggest win Germany 16 0 Russia Stockholm Sweden 1 July 1912 8 Biggest defeat England Amateurs 9 0 Germany Oxford England 13 March 1909 9 b World CupAppearances20 first in 1934 Best resultChampions 1954 1974 1990 2014 European ChampionshipAppearances13 first in 1972 Best resultChampions 1972 1980 1996 Summer Olympic GamesAppearances13 c first in 1912 Best resultGold Medal 1976 FIFA Confederations CupAppearances3 first in 1999 Best resultChampions 2017 Medal record FIFA World Cup 1954 Switzerland Team 1974 West Germany Team 1990 Italy Team 2014 Brazil Team 1966 England Team 1982 Spain Team 1986 Mexico Team 2002 South Korea Japan Team 1934 Italy Team 1970 Mexico Team 2006 Germany Team 2010 South Africa Team UEFA European Championship 1972 Belgium Team 1980 Italy Team 1996 England Team 1976 Yugoslavia Team 1992 Sweden Team 2008 Austria Switzerland Team 1988 West Germany s f Team 2012 Poland Ukraine s f Team 2016 France s f Team Summer Olympic Games 1976 Montreal Team 1980 Moscow Team 1964 Tokyo Team 1972 Munich Team 1988 Seoul Team FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 Russia Team 2005 Germany TeamWebsiteDFB de in German Germany is one of the most successful national teams in international competitions having won four World Cups 1954 1974 1990 2014 tied with Italy and only one less than the most successful team Brazil Having won three European Championships 1972 1980 1996 Germany is along with Spain the record holder in that international competition Germany won also a Confederations Cup 2017 11 They have also been runners up at the European Championship three times and four times at the World Cup with a further four third place finishes at the World Cup 11 East Germany won Olympic Gold in 1976 15 Germany is also one of the only two nations to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women s World Cup the other being Spain 16 17 By combined World Cups Germany stands as the most successful football nation in history with six World Cups four for the men s team and two for the women s At the end of the 2014 World Cup Germany earned the second highest Elo rating of any national football team in history with 2 223 points 18 Germany is also the only European nation that has won a FIFA World Cup in the Americas Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1899 1942 1 2 Three Germany national teams 1945 1990 1 3 1954 World Cup victory 1 4 Memorable losses Wembley goal and game of the century 1958 1970 1 5 1974 World Cup title on home soil 1 6 Late 1970s and early 1980s 1 7 Beckenbauer s managing success 1984 1990 1 8 Olympic football 1 9 Berti Vogts years 1990 1998 1 10 Erich Ribbeck and Rudi Voller years 2000 2004 1 11 Resurgence under Klinsmann 2004 2006 1 12 Low era 2006 2021 1 12 1 Euro 2008 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 1 12 2 2014 World Cup victory 1 12 3 Euro 2016 to 2017 Confederations Cup 1 12 4 Disappointment at the 2018 World Cup 2018 19 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 1 13 Further decline under Flick 2021 2023 1 14 Current years 2023 present 2 Team image 2 1 Kits and crest 2 1 1 Kit suppliers 2 1 2 Kit deals 2 2 Home stadium 2 3 Media coverage 3 Results and fixtures 3 1 2023 3 2 2024 4 Coaching staff 5 Players 5 1 Current squad 5 2 Recent call ups 6 Individual records 6 1 Player records 6 1 1 Most capped players 6 1 2 Top goalscorers 6 1 3 Captains 6 1 4 Player of the Year 6 2 Manager records 7 Team records 7 1 15 consecutive wins in all competitive matches world record 8 Competitive record 8 1 FIFA World Cup 8 2 FIFA Confederations Cup 8 3 UEFA European Championship 8 4 UEFA Nations League 9 Honours 9 1 Major competitions 9 2 Minor competitions 9 3 Awards 10 See also 11 Notes 12 References 13 External linksHistoryMain article History of the Germany national football team Early years 1899 1942 nbsp Germany national team at its first official international match in 1908 On 18 April 1897 an early international game on German soil was played in Hamburg when a selection team from the Danish Football Association defeated a selection team from the Hamburg Altona Football Association 5 0 19 20 Between 1899 and 1901 prior to the formation of a national team there were five international matches between Germany and English selection teams which are today not recognised as official by either nation s football association in part because England fielded their amateur side which was an overflow or B team All five matches ended in large defeats for the Germany teams including a 12 0 loss at White Hart Lane in September 1901 21 Eight years after the establishment of the German Football Association DFB in 1900 the first official match of the Germany national football team d was played on 5 April 1908 against Switzerland in Basel with the Swiss winning 5 3 7 A follow up to the earlier series between England Amateurs and Germany occurred in March 1909 at Oxford s White House Ground 22 and resulted in Germany s largest official defeat to date 9 0 this time the match was recognised and recorded as official by the DFB but not by the FA again due to the amateur side being fielded 21 These early confrontations formed the beginning of the rich rivalry between the two teams one of the longest and most enduring international rivalries in football 23 Julius Hirsch was the first Jewish player to represent the Germany national football team which he joined in 1911 24 25 Hirsch scored four goals for Germany against the Netherlands in 1912 becoming the first German to score four goals in a single match 26 27 nbsp Gottfried Fuchs Gottfried Fuchs scored a world record 10 goals for Germany in a 16 0 win against Russia at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm on 1 July becoming the top scorer of the tournament his international record was not surpassed until 2001 when Australia s Archie Thompson scored 13 goals in a 31 0 defeat of American Samoa 28 He was Jewish and the German Football Association erased all references to him from their records between 1933 and 1945 29 30 As of 2016 he was still the top German scorer for one match 31 At that time the players were selected by the DFB as there was no dedicated coach The first manager of the Germany national team was Otto Nerz a school teacher from Mannheim who served in the role from 1926 to 1936 32 The German FA could not afford travel to Uruguay for the first World Cup staged in 1930 during the Great Depression but finished third in the 1934 World Cup in their first appearance in the competition After a poor showing at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin Sepp Herberger became coach In 1937 he put together a squad which was soon nicknamed the Breslau Elf the Breslau Eleven in recognition of their 8 0 win over Denmark in the then German city of Breslau Lower Silesia now Wroclaw Poland 33 34 After Austria became part of Germany in the Anschluss of March 1938 the Austrian national team one of Europe s best sides at the time due to professionalism was disbanded despite having already qualified for the 1938 World Cup Nazi politicians ordered five or six ex Austrian players from the clubs Rapid Vienna Austria Vienna and First Vienna FC to join the all German team on short notice in a staged show of unity for political reasons At the 1938 World Cup in France this united Germany national team managed only a 1 1 draw against Switzerland and then lost the replay 2 4 in front of a hostile crowd in Paris That early exit stands as Germany s worst World Cup result and one of just three occasions the team failed to progress from the group stage the next would not occur until the 2018 tournament and it would be repeated in 2022 During World War II the team played over 30 international games between September 1939 and November 1942 National team games were then suspended as most players had to join the armed forces Many of the national team players were gathered together under coach Herberger as Rote Jager through the efforts of a sympathetic air force officer trying to protect the footballers from the most dangerous wartime service Three Germany national teams 1945 1990 After World War II Germany was banned from competition in most sports until 1950 The DFB was not a full member of FIFA and none of the three new German states West Germany East Germany and Saarland entered the 1950 World Cup qualifiers The Federal Republic of Germany which was referred to as West Germany continued the DFB With recognition by FIFA and UEFA the DFB maintained and continued the record of the pre war team Switzerland was the first team that played West Germany in 1950 35 with the latter qualifying for the 1954 World Cup and the former hosting it The Saarland a French protectorate between 1947 and 1956 did not join French organisations and was barred from participating in pan German ones It sent their own team to the 1952 Summer Olympics and to the 1954 World Cup qualifiers In 1957 Saarland acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany In 1949 the communist German Democratic Republic East Germany was founded In 1952 the Deutscher Fussball Verband der DDR DFV was established and the East Germany national football team took to the field They were the only team to beat the 1974 FIFA World Cup winning West Germans in the only meeting of the two sides of the divided nation East Germany won the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics After German reunification in 1990 the eastern football competition was reintegrated into the DFB 1954 World Cup victory Main article 1954 FIFA World Cup final nbsp Helmut Rahn scored the winning goal in the 1954 FIFA World Cup final West Germany captained by Fritz Walter met in the 1954 World Cup against Turkey Yugoslavia and Austria When playing favourites Hungary in the group stage West Germany lost 3 8 and faced the Hungarian Mighty Magyars again in the final Hungary had gone unbeaten for 32 consecutive matches and West Germany snapped the streak by winning 3 2 with Helmut Rahn scoring the winning goal 36 The success is called The Miracle of Bern Das Wunder von Bern 37 Memorable losses Wembley goal and game of the century 1958 1970 After finishing fourth in the 1958 World Cup and reaching only the quarter finals in the 1962 World Cup the DFB made changes Professionalism was introduced and the best clubs from the various Regionalligas were assembled into the new Bundesliga In 1964 Helmut Schon took over as coach replacing Herberger who had been in office for 28 years In the 1966 World Cup West Germany reached the final after beating the USSR in the semi final facing hosts England In extra time the first goal by Geoff Hurst was one of the most contentious goals in the history of the World Cup the linesman signalled the ball had crossed the line for a goal after bouncing down from the crossbar when replays showed it did not appear to have fully crossed the line Hurst then scored another goal giving England a 4 2 win 38 39 West Germany in the 1970 World Cup knocked England out in the quarter finals 3 2 before they suffered a 4 3 extra time loss in the semi final against Italy This match with five goals in extra time is one of the most dramatic in World Cup history and is called the Game of the Century in both Italy and Germany 40 41 West Germany claimed third by beating Uruguay 1 0 Gerd Muller finished as the tournament s top scorer with 10 goals 1974 World Cup title on home soil Main article 1974 FIFA World Cup nbsp The 1974 FIFA World Cup Final on 7 July in Munich s Olympiastadion In 1971 Franz Beckenbauer became captain of the national team and he led West Germany to victory at the European Championship at Euro 1972 defeating the Soviet Union 3 0 in the final 42 43 As hosts of the 1974 World Cup they won their second World Cup defeating the Netherlands 2 1 in the final in Munich 44 Two matches in the 1974 World Cup stood out for West Germany The first group stage saw a politically charged match as West Germany played a game against East Germany The East Germans won 1 0 but it made a scant difference to West Germany as the West Germans advanced to the knockout stage 45 The West Germans advanced to the final against the Johan Cruyff led Dutch team and their brand of Total Football The Dutch took the lead from a penalty However West Germany tied the match on a penalty by Paul Breitner and won it with Gerd Muller s fine finish soon after 46 47 Late 1970s and early 1980s nbsp Gerd Muller in 1974 West Germany failed to defend their titles in the next two major international tournaments They lost to Czechoslovakia in the UEFA Euro 1976 final in a penalty shootout 5 3 48 their last penalty shootout loss in a major tournament as of 2022 49 In the 1978 World Cup Germany was eliminated in the second group stage after losing 3 2 to Austria Schon retired as coach afterward and the post was taken over by his assistant Jupp Derwall West Germany s first tournament under Derwall was successful as they earned their second European title at Euro 1980 after defeating Belgium 2 1 in the final 50 West Germany started the 1982 World Cup with a 1 2 upset by newcomers Algeria in their first match 51 but advanced to the second round with a controversial 1 0 win over Austria In the semi final against France they tied the match 3 3 and won the penalty shootout 5 4 52 53 In the final they were defeated by Italy 1 3 54 During this period West Germany s Gerd Muller racked up fourteen goals in two World Cups 1970 and 1974 His ten goals in 1970 are the third most ever in a tournament Muller s all time World Cup record of 14 goals was broken by Ronaldo in 2006 this was then further broken by Miroslav Klose in 2014 with 16 goals 55 Beckenbauer s managing success 1984 1990 nbsp Franz Beckenbauer in 1990 After West Germany were eliminated in the first round of Euro 1984 Franz Beckenbauer returned to the national team to replace Derwall as manager 56 At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico West Germany finished as runners up for the second consecutive tournament after beating France 2 0 in the semi finals but losing to the Diego Maradona led Argentina in the final 2 3 57 58 In Euro 1988 after drawing Italy 1 1 and beating both Denmark and Spain 2 0 in the group stage 59 West Germany s hopes of winning the tournament on home soil were spoiled by the Netherlands as the Dutch beat them 2 1 in the semi finals 60 61 At the 1990 World Cup in Italy West Germany won their third World Cup title in its unprecedented third consecutive final appearance 62 Captained by Lothar Matthaus they defeated Yugoslavia 4 1 UAE 5 1 the Netherlands 2 1 Czechoslovakia 1 0 and England 1 1 4 3 on penalty kicks on the way to a final rematch against Argentina in Rome 63 64 West Germany won 1 0 with the only goal being a penalty scored in the 85th minute by Andreas Brehme 62 Beckenbauer who won the World Cup as the national team s captain in 1974 thus became the first person to win the World Cup as both captain and manager 56 and the second to win as player and manager after Mario Zagallo of Brazil Olympic football Main article Germany Olympic football team Medal record Summer Olympic Games nbsp 1976 Montreal Team nbsp 1980 Moscow Team nbsp 1964 Tokyo Team nbsp 1972 Munich Team nbsp 1988 Seoul Team East Germany did however achieve significantly greater success in Olympic football than the amateur teams fielded by the Western NOC of Germany due to using its elite players from the top domestic league In 1956 1960 and 1964 both states had sent a United Team of Germany For 1964 the East German side had beaten their Western counterparts in order to be selected They went on to win the bronze medal for Germany As GDR they won bronze in 1972 in Munich gold in 1976 in Montreal and silver in 1980 in Moscow Prior to 1984 Olympic football was an amateur event meaning that only non professional players could participate e Due to this West Germany was never able to achieve the same degree of success at the Olympics as at the World Cup The first medal coming in the 1988 Olympics when they won the bronze medal after beating Italy 3 0 in the 3rd place match 65 West Germany also reached the second round in both 1972 and 1984 On the other hand due to having an ability to field its top level players who were classified as amateurs on a technicality East Germany did better winning a gold a silver and two bronze medals one representing the United Team of Germany Berti Vogts years 1990 1998 nbsp Berti Vogts In February 1990 months after the fall of the Berlin Wall East Germany and West Germany were drawn together in UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 5 In November 1990 the East German association Deutscher Fussball Verband integrated into the DFB by which time the East Germany team had ceased operations playing its last match on 12 September 1990 The unified Germany national team completed the European Championship qualifying group The East German 1990 91 league continued with a restructuring of German leagues in 1991 92 The first game with a unified Germany national team was against Switzerland on 19 December 66 After the 1990 World Cup assistant Berti Vogts took over as the national team coach from the retiring Beckenbauer In Euro 1992 Germany reached the final but lost 0 2 to underdogs Denmark 67 In the 1994 World Cup they were upset 1 2 in the quarterfinals by Bulgaria 68 69 Reunified Germany won its first major international title at Euro 1996 becoming European champions for the third time 70 They defeated hosts England in the semi finals 71 and the Czech Republic 2 1 in the final on a golden goal in extra time 72 However in the 1998 World Cup Germany were eliminated in the quarterfinals in a 0 3 defeat to Croatia all goals being scored after defender Christian Worns received a straight red card 73 Vogts stepped down afterwards and was replaced by Erich Ribbeck 74 Erich Ribbeck and Rudi Voller years 2000 2004 In Euro 2000 the team went out in the first round drawing with Romania then suffering a 1 0 defeat to England and were routed 3 0 by Portugal which fielded their backup players having already advanced 75 Ribbeck resigned and was replaced by Rudi Voller 76 Coming into the 2002 World Cup expectations of Germany were low due to poor results in the qualifiers and not directly qualifying for the finals for the first time The team advanced through group play and in the knockout stages they produced three consecutive 1 0 wins against Paraguay 77 the United States 78 and co hosts South Korea Oliver Neuville scored two minutes from time against Paraguay and Michael Ballack scored both goals in the US and South Korea games although he picked up a second yellow card against South Korea for a tactical foul and was suspended for the subsequent match 79 This set up a final against Brazil the first World Cup meeting between the two Germany lost 0 2 thanks to two Ronaldo goals 80 Nevertheless German captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball 81 the first time in the World Cup that a goalkeeper was named the best player of the tournament 82 nbsp Fans watching Germany play against Argentina in the 2006 World Cup match at the Donau Arena in Regensburg Germany once again exited in the first round at Euro 2004 drawing their first two matches and losing the third to the Czech Republic who had fielded a second string team 83 Voller resigned afterwards and Jurgen Klinsmann was appointed head coach 84 85 Resurgence under Klinsmann 2004 2006 Klinsmann s main task was to lead the national team to a good showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany He relieved goalkeeper Kahn of the captaincy and announced that Kahn and longtime backup Jens Lehmann would be competing for the position of starting goaltender a decision that angered Kahn and Lehmann eventually won that contest 86 Expectations for the team were low which was not helped by veteran defender Christian Worns being dropped after Worns criticised Klinsmann for designating him only as a backup player on the squad a choice roundly panned in Germany Italy routed Germany 4 1 in a March 2006 exhibition game and Klinsmann bore the brunt of the criticism as the team was ranked only 22nd in the world entering the 2006 World Cup 87 As World Cup hosts Germany won all three group stage matches to finish top of their group The team defeated Sweden 2 0 in the round of 16 88 and Argentina in the quarter finals in a penalty shootout 89 90 91 The semi final against Italy was scoreless until near the end of extra time when Germany conceded two goals 92 In the third place match Germany defeated Portugal 3 1 93 Miroslav Klose was awarded the Golden Boot for his tournament leading five goals 94 Low era 2006 2021 Euro 2008 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 Main articles UEFA Euro 2008 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 Germany s entry into the Euro 2008 qualifying round was marked by the promotion of Joachim Low to head coach since Klinsmann resigned 95 At UEFA Euro 2008 Germany won two out of three matches in group play to advance to the knockout round 96 They defeated Portugal 3 2 in the quarterfinal 97 and won their semi final against Turkey 98 Germany lost the final against Spain 0 1 finishing as the runners up 99 In the 2010 World Cup Germany won the group and advanced to the knockout stage In the round of 16 Germany defeated England 4 1 100 The game controversially had a valid goal by Frank Lampard disallowed 101 102 103 In the quarter finals Germany defeated Argentina 4 0 104 and Miroslav Klose tied German Gerd Muller s record of 14 World Cup goals 105 In the semi final Germany lost 1 0 to Spain 106 Germany defeated Uruguay 3 2 to take third place their second third place after 2006 107 German Thomas Muller won the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player Award 108 109 nbsp Germany during Euro 2012 qualifiers In Euro 2012 Germany was placed in group B along with Portugal Netherlands and Denmark Germany won all three group matches Germany defeated Greece in the quarter final and set a record of 15 consecutive wins in all competitive matches 110 In the semi finals Germany lost to Italy 1 2 2014 World Cup victory Main article 2014 FIFA World Cup nbsp Germany lifting the World Cup trophy in 2014 Germany were placed in Group G of the 2014 World Cup 111 with Portugal Ghana and the United States They first faced Portugal in a match billed by some as the team of all the talents against the team of The Talent Cristiano Ronaldo routing the Portuguese 4 0 thanks to a hat trick by Thomas Muller 112 113 In their match with Ghana they led the game with Gotze s second half goal but then conceded two consecutive goals Klose scored a goal to level Germany 2 2 his 15th World Cup goal to join former Brazil striker Ronaldo at the pinnacle of World Cup Finals scorers They then went on to defeat the Klinsmann led United States 1 0 securing them a spot in the round of sixteen against Algeria The round of sixteen knockout match against Algeria remained goalless after regulation time resulting in extra time In the 92nd minute Andre Schurrle scored a goal from a Thomas Muller pass Mesut Ozil scored Germany s second goal in the 120th minute Algeria managed to score one goal in injury time and the match ended 2 1 Germany secured a place in the quarter final where they would face France In the quarter final match against France Mats Hummels scored in the 13th minute Germany won the game 1 0 to advance to a record fourth consecutive semi finals 114 nbsp Germany posing with Champions banner after 2014 FIFA World Cup Final The 7 1 semi final win against Brazil was one of the most memorable games in World Cup history Germany scored four goals in just less than seven minutes and were 5 0 up by the 30th minute with goals from Thomas Muller Miroslav Klose Sami Khedira and two from Toni Kroos Germany s 7 0 in the second half was the highest score against Brazil in a single game Germany conceded a late goal to Brazil s Oscar It was Brazil s worst ever World Cup defeat 115 whilst Germany broke multiple World Cup records with the win including the record broken by Klose the first team to reach four consecutive World Cup semi finals the first team to score seven goals in a World Cup Finals knockout phase game the fastest five consecutive goals in World Cup history four of which in just 400 seconds and the first team to score five goals in the first half in a World Cup semi final 116 The World Cup final was held at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on 13 July and billed as the world s best player Lionel Messi versus the world s best team Germany 117 118 Mario Gotze s 113th minute goal helped Germany beat Argentina 1 0 becoming the first ever European team to win a FIFA World Cup in the Americas and the second European team to win the title outside Europe 119 120 Euro 2016 to 2017 Confederations Cup Main articles UEFA Euro 2016 and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup After several players retired from the team following the 2014 World Cup win including Philipp Lahm Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose the team had a disappointing start in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers They defeated Scotland 2 1 at home then suffered a 2 0 loss at Poland the first in their history a 1 1 draw against the Republic of Ireland and a 4 0 win over Gibraltar The year ended with an away 1 0 friendly win against Spain Troubles during qualifying for the 2016 European Championship continued drawing at home as well as losing away to Ireland the team also only narrowly defeated Scotland on two occasions but handily won the return against Poland and both games against Gibraltar who competed for the first time They would eventually win their group and qualify for the tournament through a 2 1 victory against Georgia on 11 October 2015 On 13 November 2015 Germany played a friendly against France in Paris when a series of terrorist attacks took place in the city some in the direct vicinity of the Stade de France where the game was held 121 For security reasons the team spent the night inside the stadium accompanied by the French squad who stayed behind in an act of comradery 122 Four days later Germany was scheduled to face the Netherlands at Hanover s HDI Arena in another friendly After initial security reservations the DFB decided to play the match on 15 November 123 After reports about a concrete threat to the stadium the match was cancelled 90 minutes before kickoff 124 At UEFA Euro 2016 Germany began their campaign for a fourth European title with a 2 0 win against Ukraine Against Poland Germany was held to a 0 0 draw but concluded Group C play with a 1 0 win against Northern Ireland In the Round of 16 Germany faced Slovakia and earned a comfortable 3 0 win Germany then faced off against rivals Italy in the quarter finals Mesut Ozil opened the scoring in the 65th minute for Germany before Leonardo Bonucci drew even after converting a penalty in the 78th minute The score remained 1 1 after extra time and Germany beat Italy 6 5 in a penalty shootout It was the first time Germany had overcome Italy in a major tournament 125 126 The Germans lost to hosts France 2 0 in the semi finals their first competitive win against Germany in 58 years 127 Germany qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup after winning the 2014 World Cup and won the last version of the Confederations Cup after a 1 0 win against Chile in the final at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg Russia 128 Disappointment at the 2018 World Cup 2018 19 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 Main articles 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018 19 UEFA Nations League and UEFA Euro 2020 nbsp Fans in Hamburg watching the match between Germany and South Korea After winning all their qualifying matches and the Confederations Cup the previous year Germany started their 2018 World Cup campaign with a defeat to Mexico their first loss in an opening match since the 1982 World Cup 129 Germany defeated Sweden 2 1 in their second game via an injury time winner from Toni Kroos but was subsequently eliminated following a 2 0 loss to South Korea their first exit in the first round since 1938 and first in the group stage since the format had been reintroduced in 1950 With this result Germany became the fifth defending champions to be eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup following Brazil in 1966 France in 2002 Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014 130 131 Following the World Cup Germany s struggles continued into the inaugural UEFA Nations League After a 0 0 draw at home against France they lost 3 0 against the Netherlands 132 and 1 2 in the rematch against France three days later the latter result being their fourth loss in six competitive matches 133 These results meant that Germany could not advance to the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals and faced the prospect of possible relegation to League B in the next Nations League 133 After the Netherlands win against France the relegation to League B was originally confirmed but due to the overhaul of the format for the 2020 21 UEFA Nations League Germany was spared from relegation to League B 134 In March 2021 the DFB announced that Low would step down as Germany s manager after UEFA Euro 2020 135 Later that month Germany lost 1 2 at home to North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers their first World Cup qualification defeat since losing 5 1 to England in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and only their third in history 136 On 25 May 2021 the DFB announced that former assistant manager Hansi Flick will replace Low as head coach 137 At Euro 2020 delayed until 2021 due to the COVID 19 pandemic Germany were drawn with World Cup champions France to whom they lost 1 0 and reigning European champions Portugal whom they defeated 4 2 albeit with the help of two Portuguese own goals with each group having only two guaranteed qualifiers for the next phase plus a chance for the third placed team In the final group match the Hungarians took the lead twice only to draw Germany then lost 2 0 to England in the round of 16 their first round of 16 exit in a major tournament since the 1938 World Cup 138 Further decline under Flick 2021 2023 See also 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Following Germany s disappointment at Euro 2020 Hansi Flick former Bayern Munich manager took over as coach of the national team Success only followed from there as Germany went on to beat Liechtenstein Armenia Iceland Romania and North Macedonia in a month s succession On 11 October 2021 Germany beat North Macedonia 4 0 to become the first team outside of the hosts to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar 139 In the 2022 23 Nations League Germany recorded their first ever competitive win against Italy as the Germans beat the visitors 5 2 This was Germany s fourth game and first win in the league however the Germans finished third in the group 140 nbsp Germany during the 2022 FIFA World Cup In the 2022 World Cup Germany were drawn into Group E with Spain Japan and Costa Rica The campaign started with a shock 2 1 defeat to Japan 141 Germany drew 1 1 with Spain 142 and then were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament despite a 4 2 win over Costa Rica missing out on a place in the knockout stages on goal difference 143 After several poor performances following Germany s World Cup exit including a 1 4 home loss to Japan Flick was dismissed on 10 September 2023 while Rudi Voller took interim charge of the team leading the team to a 2 1 victory over France 144 Current years 2023 present On 22 September 2023 Julian Nagelsmann was named the new head coach 145 Despite a rocky rest of 2023 only winning one out of four games Germany found itself back to its form in the new year with a second victory against France where Florian Wirtz scored Germany s fastest goal to date at just 7 seconds in 146 This was followed by a 2 1 win over traditional rivals the Netherlands further strengthening hopes for a successful UEFA Euro 2024 campaign at home 147 Team imageKits and crest nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Germany national football team kits nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Germany national football team kits goalkeeper kits nbsp The 2006 World Cup saw a widespread public display of the German national flag The national team s home kit has been traditionally a white shirt black shorts and white socks The colours are derived from the 19th century flag of the North German State of Prussia 148 Since 1988 many of the home kit s designs incorporate details patterned after the modern German flag For the 2014 World Cup Germany s kit was white shorts rather than the traditional black due to FIFA s kit clashing rule for the tournament 149 The away shirt colour has changed several times Historically a green shirt with white shorts is the most often used alternative colour combination derived from the DFB colours though it is often erroneously reported that the choice is in recognition of the fact that Ireland whose home shirts are green were the first nation to play Germany in a friendly game after World War II However the first team to play Germany after WWII as stated above was actually Switzerland 150 Other colours such as red grey and black have also been used A change from black to red came in 2005 on the request of Jurgen Klinsmann 151 but Germany played every game at the 2006 World Cup in its home white colours In 2010 the away colours then changed back to a black shirt and white shorts but at the World Cup the team dressed up in the black shorts from the home kit The kit used by Germany returned to a green shirt on its away kit but then changed again to red and black striped shirts with white stripes and letters and black shorts Adidas AG is the longstanding kit provider to the national team a sponsorship that began in 1954 and is contracted to continue until at least 2022 152 In the 70s Germany wore Erima kits a German brand formerly a subsidiary of Adidas 153 26 As a common practice three stars were added above the crest in 1996 symbolising Germany s World Cup titles in 1954 1974 and 1990 In 2014 a fourth star was added after Germany were crowned world champions for the fourth time Kit suppliers Kit supplier Period Notes nbsp Leuzela unknown 1954 Germany wore Leuzela kits during the 1954 FIFA World Cup 154 nbsp Umbro 1966 1970 Germany wore Umbro kits during the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cups 154 nbsp Adidas 1954 2026 In the 1970s Germany wore Erima kits a German brand formerly a subsidiary of Adidas 153 26 nbsp Nike 2027 2034 Kit deals This list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items June 2018 Kit supplier Period Contract Notes Announcement Duration nbsp Adidas 1954 2026 20 June 2016 2019 2022 4 years 155 Per year 50 million 56 7 million Total 250 million 283 5 million 156 157 10 September 2018 2023 2026 4 years Undisclosed 158 nbsp Nike 2027 2034 21 March 2024 2027 2034 8 years Per year 100 million 108 million 159 Home stadium nbsp Olympic Stadium in Berlin Germany plays its home matches among various stadiums in rotation around the country They have played home matches in 43 different cities so far including venues that were German at the time of the match such as Vienna Austria which staged three games between 1938 and 1942 National team matches have been held most often in Berlin 46 matches which was the venue of Germany s first home match in 1908 against England Other common host cities include Hamburg 34 matches Stuttgart 32 Hanover 28 and Dortmund Munich also hosted noteworthy matches including the 1974 World Cup final Media coverage Germany s qualifying and friendly matches are televised by privately owned RTL Nations League by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF Results and fixturesMain article Germany national football team results Further information Germany national football team results 2020 present and 2023 24 in German football The following is a list of match results in the last twelve months as well as any future matches that have been scheduled 160 Win Draw Loss Fixture 2023 Germany nbsp v nbsp Ukraine 12 June 2023 FriendlyGermany nbsp 3 3 nbsp UkraineBremen18 00 CEST UTC 02 00 Fullkrug nbsp 6 Havertz nbsp 83 Kimmich nbsp 90 1 pen Report Tsyhankov nbsp 19 56 Rudiger nbsp 23 o g Stadium Weserstadion Attendance 35 795Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos Greece Poland nbsp v nbsp Germany 16 June 2023 FriendlyPoland nbsp 1 0 nbsp GermanyWarsaw20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Kiwior nbsp 31 Report Stadium Stadion Narodowy Attendance 57 098Referee Orel Grinfeld Israel Germany nbsp v nbsp Colombia 20 June 2023 FriendlyGermany nbsp 0 2 nbsp ColombiaGelsenkirchen20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Diaz nbsp 54 Cuadrado nbsp 82 pen Stadium Arena AufSchalke Attendance 50 421Referee Halil Umut Meler Turkey Germany nbsp v nbsp Japan 9 September 2023 FriendlyGermany nbsp 1 4 nbsp JapanWolfsburg20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Sane nbsp 19 Report Ito nbsp 11 Ueda nbsp 22 Asano nbsp 90 Tanaka nbsp 90 2 Stadium Volkswagen Arena Attendance 24 980Referee Joao Pinheiro Portugal Germany nbsp v nbsp France 12 September 2023 FriendlyGermany nbsp 2 1 nbsp FranceDortmund21 00 CEST UTC 02 00 Muller nbsp 4 Sane nbsp 87 Report Griezmann nbsp 89 pen Stadium Westfalenstadion Attendance 60 486Referee Anthony Taylor England United States nbsp v nbsp Germany 14 October 2023 FriendlyUnited States nbsp 1 3 nbsp GermanyEast Hartford15 00 EDT UTC 04 00 Pulisic nbsp 27 Report Gundogan nbsp 39 Fullkrug nbsp 58 Musiala nbsp 61 Stadium Pratt amp Whitney Stadium Attendance 37 743Referee Fernando Guerrero Mexico Mexico nbsp v nbsp Germany 17 October 2023 FriendlyMexico nbsp 2 2 nbsp GermanyPhiladelphia United States20 00 EDT UTC 04 00 Antuna nbsp 37 Sanchez nbsp 47 Report Rudiger nbsp 25 Fullkrug nbsp 51 Stadium Lincoln Financial Field Attendance 62 284Referee Rubiel Vazquez United States Germany nbsp v nbsp Turkey 18 November 2023 FriendlyGermany nbsp 2 3 nbsp TurkeyBerlin20 45 CET UTC 01 00 Havertz nbsp 5 Fullkrug nbsp 48 Report Kadioglu nbsp 38 Yildiz nbsp 45 2 Sari nbsp 70 pen Stadium Olympiastadion Attendance 72 592Referee Bartosz Frankowski Poland Austria nbsp v nbsp Germany 21 November 2023 FriendlyAustria nbsp 2 0 nbsp GermanyVienna20 45 CET UTC 01 00 Sabitzer nbsp 29 Baumgartner nbsp 73 Report Stadium Ernst Happel Stadion Attendance 46 000Referee Slavko Vincic Slovenia 2024 France nbsp v nbsp Germany 23 March 2024 FriendlyFrance nbsp 0 2 nbsp GermanyDecines Charpieu21 00 CET UTC 01 00 Report Wirtz nbsp 1 Havertz nbsp 49 Stadium Parc Olympique Lyonnais Attendance 56 000Referee Jesus Gil Manzano Spain Germany nbsp v nbsp Netherlands 26 March 2024 FriendlyGermany nbsp 2 1 nbsp NetherlandsFrankfurt20 45 CET UTC 01 00 Mittelstadt nbsp 11 Fullkrug nbsp 85 Report Veerman nbsp 4 Stadium Waldstadion Attendance 48 390Referee Espen Eskas Norway Germany nbsp v nbsp Ukraine 3 June 2024 FriendlyGermany nbsp v nbsp UkraineNuremberg20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Stadium Max Morlock Stadion Germany nbsp v nbsp Greece 7 June 2024 FriendlyGermany nbsp v nbsp GreeceMonchengladbach20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Stadium Borussia Park Germany nbsp v nbsp Scotland 14 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group AGermany nbsp v nbsp ScotlandMunich21 00 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Stadium Allianz Arena Germany nbsp v nbsp Hungary 19 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group AGermany nbsp v nbsp HungaryStuttgart18 00 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Stadium MHPArena Switzerland nbsp v nbsp Germany 23 June 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 Group ASwitzerland nbsp v nbsp GermanyFrankfurt Germany21 00 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Stadium Waldstadion Germany nbsp v nbsp Hungary 7 September 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueGermany nbsp v nbsp Hungary20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Netherlands nbsp v nbsp Germany 10 September 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueNetherlands nbsp v nbsp Germany20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Bosnia and Herzegovina nbsp v nbsp Germany 11 October 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueBosnia and Herzegovina nbsp v nbsp Germany20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Germany nbsp v nbsp Netherlands 14 October 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueGermany nbsp v nbsp Netherlands20 45 CEST UTC 02 00 Report Germany nbsp v nbsp Bosnia and Herzegovina 16 November 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueGermany nbsp v nbsp Bosnia and Herzegovina20 45 CEST UTC 01 00 Report Hungary nbsp v nbsp Germany 19 November 2024 2024 25 UEFA Nations LeagueHungary nbsp v nbsp Germany20 45 CEST UTC 01 00 ReportCoaching staffMain article Germany national football team manager As of March 2024 161 Position Name Head coach nbsp Julian Nagelsmann Assistant coaches nbsp Mads Buttgereit nbsp Benjamin Gluck nbsp Sandro Wagner Goalkeeping coaches nbsp Michael Fuchs nbsp Andreas Kronenberg Fitness coach nbsp Nicklas Dietrich Athletic coach nbsp Krunoslav Banovcic Doctor nbsp Tim Meyer Sporting director nbsp Rudi VollerPlayersCurrent squad The following players were called up for the friendly matches against France and the Netherlands on 23 and 26 March 2024 respectively 162 Information correct as of 26 March 2024 after the match against the Netherlands 163 No Pos Player Date of birth age Caps Goals Club 12 1 GK Bernd Leno 1992 03 04 4 March 1992 age 32 9 0 nbsp Fulham 22 1 GK Marc Andre ter Stegen 1992 04 30 30 April 1992 age 32 40 0 nbsp Barcelona 24 1 GK Oliver Baumann 1990 06 02 2 June 1990 age 33 0 0 nbsp TSG Hoffenheim 2 2 DF Antonio Rudiger 1993 03 03 3 March 1993 age 31 68 3 nbsp Real Madrid 3 2 DF David Raum 1998 04 22 22 April 1998 age 26 20 0 nbsp RB Leipzig 4 2 DF Jonathan Tah 1996 02 11 11 February 1996 age 28 23 0 nbsp Bayer Leverkusen 6 2 DF Joshua Kimmich 1995 02 08 8 February 1995 age 29 84 6 nbsp Bayern Munich 15 2 DF Robin Koch 1996 07 17 17 July 1996 age 27 8 0 nbsp Eintracht Frankfurt 16 2 DF Waldemar Anton 1996 07 20 20 July 1996 age 27 1 0 nbsp VfB Stuttgart 18 2 DF Maximilian Mittelstadt 1997 03 18 18 March 1997 age 27 2 1 nbsp VfB Stuttgart 20 2 DF Benjamin Henrichs 1997 02 23 23 February 1997 age 27 14 0 nbsp RB Leipzig 5 3 MF Pascal Gross 1991 06 15 15 June 1991 age 32 5 0 nbsp Brighton amp Hove Albion 8 3 MF Toni Kroos 1990 01 04 4 January 1990 age 34 108 17 nbsp Real Madrid 10 3 MF Jamal Musiala 2003 02 26 26 February 2003 age 21 27 2 nbsp Bayern Munich 11 3 MF Chris Fuhrich 1998 01 09 9 January 1998 age 26 3 0 nbsp VfB Stuttgart 17 3 MF Florian Wirtz 2003 05 03 3 May 2003 age 20 16 1 nbsp Bayer Leverkusen 21 3 MF Ilkay Gundogan captain 1990 10 24 24 October 1990 age 33 75 18 nbsp Barcelona 23 3 MF Robert Andrich 1994 09 22 22 September 1994 age 29 3 0 nbsp Bayer Leverkusen 7 4 FW Kai Havertz 1999 06 11 11 June 1999 age 24 44 15 nbsp Arsenal 9 4 FW Niclas Fullkrug 1993 02 09 9 February 1993 age 31 15 11 nbsp Borussia Dortmund 13 4 FW Thomas Muller 1989 09 13 13 September 1989 age 34 128 45 nbsp Bayern Munich 14 4 FW Maximilian Beier 2002 10 17 17 October 2002 age 21 0 0 nbsp TSG Hoffenheim 26 4 FW Deniz Undav 1996 07 19 19 July 1996 age 27 1 0 nbsp VfB Stuttgart Recent call ups The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months Pos Player Date of birth age Caps Goals Club Latest call up GK Manuel Neuer 1986 03 27 27 March 1986 age 38 117 0 nbsp Bayern Munich v nbsp France 23 March 2024 INJ GK Kevin Trapp 1990 07 08 8 July 1990 age 33 9 0 nbsp Eintracht Frankfurt v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 GK Janis Blaswich 1991 05 02 2 May 1991 age 32 0 0 nbsp RB Leipzig v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 DF Jan Niklas Beste 1999 01 04 4 January 1999 age 25 0 0 nbsp 1 FC Heidenheim v nbsp France 23 March 2024 INJ DF Mats Hummels 1988 12 16 16 December 1988 age 35 78 5 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 DF Niklas Sule 1995 09 03 3 September 1995 age 28 49 1 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 DF Robin Gosens 1994 07 05 5 July 1994 age 29 20 2 nbsp Union Berlin v nbsp Turkey 18 November 2023 DF Malick Thiaw 2001 08 08 8 August 2001 age 22 3 0 nbsp Milan v nbsp Turkey 18 November 2023 DF Nico Schlotterbeck 1999 12 01 1 December 1999 age 24 11 0 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp France 12 September 2023 DF Matthias Ginter 1994 01 19 19 January 1994 age 30 51 2 nbsp SC Freiburg v nbsp Colombia 20 June 2023 DF Thilo Kehrer 1996 09 21 21 September 1996 age 27 27 0 nbsp Monaco v nbsp Colombia 20 June 2023 DF Marius Wolf 1995 05 27 27 May 1995 age 28 5 0 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp Colombia 20 June 2023 DF Lukas Klostermann 1996 06 03 3 June 1996 age 27 22 0 nbsp RB Leipzig v nbsp Poland 16 June 2023 MF Aleksandar Pavlovic 2004 05 03 3 May 2004 age 19 0 0 nbsp Bayern Munich v nbsp France 23 March 2024 INJ MF Leroy Sane 1996 01 11 11 January 1996 age 28 59 13 nbsp Bayern Munich v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 MF Leon Goretzka 1995 02 06 6 February 1995 age 29 57 14 nbsp Bayern Munich v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 MF Julian Brandt 1996 05 02 2 May 1996 age 27 47 3 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 MF Jonas Hofmann 1992 07 14 14 July 1992 age 31 23 4 nbsp Bayer Leverkusen v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 MF Grischa Promel 1995 01 09 9 January 1995 age 29 0 0 nbsp TSG Hoffenheim v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 MF Felix Nmecha 2000 10 10 10 October 2000 age 23 1 0 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp Turkey 18 November 2023 INJ MF Emre Can 1994 01 12 12 January 1994 age 30 43 1 nbsp Borussia Dortmund v nbsp France 12 September 2023 FW Serge Gnabry 1995 07 14 14 July 1995 age 28 45 22 nbsp Bayern Munich v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 FW Marvin Ducksch 1994 03 07 7 March 1994 age 30 2 0 nbsp Werder Bremen v nbsp Austria 21 November 2023 FW Kevin Behrens 1991 02 03 3 February 1991 age 33 1 0 nbsp VfL Wolfsburg v nbsp Mexico 18 October 2023 FW Kevin Schade 2001 11 27 27 November 2001 age 22 3 0 nbsp Brentford v nbsp France 12 September 2023 FW Timo Werner 1996 03 06 6 March 1996 age 28 57 24 nbsp Tottenham Hotspur v nbsp Poland 16 June 2023 INJ Withdrew due to injuryIndividual recordsPlayer records Main article Germany national football team records and statistics As of 26 March 2024 164 Players in bold are still active with Germany This list does not include players who represented East Germany Most capped players nbsp Lothar Matthaus is Germany s most capped player with 150 appearances Rank Player Caps Goals Period 1 Lothar Matthaus 150 23 1980 2000 2 Miroslav Klose 137 71 2001 2014 3 Lukas Podolski 130 49 2004 2017 4 Thomas Muller 128 45 2010 present 5 Bastian Schweinsteiger 121 24 2004 2016 6 Manuel Neuer 117 0 2009 present 7 Philipp Lahm 113 5 2004 2014 8 Jurgen Klinsmann 108 47 1987 1998 Toni Kroos 17 2010 present 10 Jurgen Kohler 105 2 1986 1998 Top goalscorers nbsp Miroslav Klose is Germany s all time top scorer with 71 goals Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period 1 Miroslav Klose list 71 137 0 52 2001 2014 2 Gerd Muller list 68 62 1 1 1966 1974 3 Lukas Podolski 49 130 0 38 2004 2017 4 Rudi Voller 47 90 0 52 1982 1994 Jurgen Klinsmann 108 0 44 1987 1998 6 Karl Heinz Rummenigge 45 95 0 47 1976 1986 Thomas Muller 128 0 35 2010 present 8 Uwe Seeler 43 72 0 6 1954 1970 9 Michael Ballack 42 98 0 43 1999 2010 10 Oliver Bierhoff 37 70 0 53 1996 2002 Captains Player Period Notes Fritz Szepan 1934 1939 Paul Janes 1939 1942 Fritz Walter 1951 1956 First official captain of the West Germany national football teamWorld Cup winning captain 1954 Hans Schafer 1952 1962 First West German player to play in three World Cup tournaments 1954 1958 1962 Helmut Rahn 1958 1959 Herbert Erhardt 1959 1962 Hans Schafer 1962 Uwe Seeler 1962 1970 Wolfgang Overath 1970 1972 Franz Beckenbauer 1972 1977 European Championship winning captain 1972 World Cup winning captain 1974 Berti Vogts 1977 1978 Sepp Maier 1978 1979 Bernard Dietz 1979 1981 European Championship winning captain 1980 Karl Heinz Rummenigge 1981 1986 Harald Schumacher 1986 Klaus Allofs 1986 1987 Lothar Matthaus 1988 1994 World Cup winning captain 1990 First captain of the unified Germany national football team Jurgen Klinsmann 1995 1998 European Championship winning captain 1996 Oliver Bierhoff 1998 2001 Oliver Kahn 2001 2004 Michael Ballack 2004 2010 Philipp Lahm 2010 2014 World Cup winning captain 2014 Bastian Schweinsteiger 2014 2016 Manuel Neuer 2016 2017 2017 2023 Julian Draxler 2017 Confederations Cup winning captain 2017 Ilkay Gundogan 2023 present Player of the Year 2010 Bastian Schweinsteiger 165 2011 Mesut Ozil 165 2012 Mesut Ozil 165 2013 Mesut Ozil 165 2014 Toni Kroos 165 2015 Mesut Ozil 165 2016 Mesut Ozil 166 2017 Joshua Kimmich 167 2018 Marco Reus 2019 Matthias Ginter 168 2020 Manuel Neuer 169 2021 Joshua Kimmich 170 2022 Jamal Musiala 171 2023 Emre Can 172 Manager records Main article Germany national football team manager Most manager appearances Joachim Low 198Team recordsMain article Germany national football team records and statistics 15 consecutive wins in all competitive matches world record Date Opponent Venue Result Type Scorers 10 July 2010 nbsp Uruguay Port Elizabeth RSA 3 2 WC 2010 3rd place Muller nbsp 19 Jansen nbsp 56 Khedira nbsp 82 3 September 2010 nbsp Belgium Brussels BEL A 1 0 EC 2012 Qualification Klose nbsp 51 7 September 2010 nbsp Azerbaijan Koln H 6 1 EC 2012 Qualification Westermann nbsp 28 Podolski nbsp 45 1 Klose nbsp 45 2 90 2 Sadygov nbsp 53 o g Badstuber nbsp 86 8 October 2010 nbsp Turkey Berlin H 3 0 EC 2012 Qualification Klose nbsp 42 87 Ozil nbsp 79 12 October 2010 nbsp Kazakhstan Astana KAZ A 3 0 EC 2012 Qualification Klose nbsp 48 Gomez nbsp 76 Podolski nbsp 85 26 March 2011 nbsp Kazakhstan Kaiserslautern H 4 0 EC 2012 Qualification Klose nbsp 3 88 Muller nbsp 25 43 3 June 2011 nbsp Austria Vienna AUT A 2 1 EC 2012 Qualification Gomez nbsp 44 90 7 June 2011 nbsp Azerbaijan Baku AZE A 3 1 EC 2012 Qualification Ozil nbsp 30 Gomez nbsp 41 Schurrle nbsp 90 3 2 September 2011 nbsp Austria Gelsenkirchen H 6 2 EC 2012 Qualification Klose nbsp 8 Ozil nbsp 23 47 Podolski nbsp 28 Schurrle nbsp 83 Gotze nbsp 88 7 October 2011 nbsp Turkey Istanbul TUR A 3 1 EC 2012 Qualification Gomez nbsp 35 Muller nbsp 66 Schweinsteiger nbsp 86 pen 11 October 2011 nbsp Belgium Dusseldorf H 3 1 EC 2012 Qualification Ozil nbsp 30 Schurrle nbsp 33 Gomez nbsp 48 9 June 2012 nbsp Portugal Lviv UKR 1 0 EC 2012 Group Gomez nbsp 72 13 June 2012 nbsp Netherlands Kharkiv UKR 2 1 EC 2012 Group Gomez nbsp 24 38 17 June 2012 nbsp Denmark Lviv UKR 2 1 EC 2012 Group Podolski nbsp 19 Bender nbsp 80 22 June 2012 nbsp Greece Gdansk POL 4 2 EC 2012 Quarter final Lahm nbsp 39 Khedira nbsp 61 Klose nbsp 68 Reus nbsp 74 Competitive recordMain article Germany national football team records and statistics 1930 1938 as nbsp nbsp nbsp Germany 1950 1990 as nbsp West Germany 1994 present as nbsp Germany Champions Runners up Third place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil Germany has won the FIFA World Cup four times behind only Brazil s five 173 It has finished as runners up four times 173 In terms of semi final appearances Germany leads with 13 two more than Brazil s 11 who have participated in every single tournament 173 From 1954 to 2014 16 tournaments Germany reached at least the stage of the last eight teams before being eliminated in the group stage in 2018 173 Germany has also qualified for every one of the 19 World Cups for which it has entered it did not enter the inaugural competition in Uruguay in 1930 for economic reasons and were banned from the 1950 World Cup as the DFB was reinstated as a FIFA member only two months after this tournament Germany has also won the European Championship three times the joint most with Spain France and Italy with two titles each are the only other multiple winners Germany finished as runners up three times 174 The Germans have qualified for every European Championship tournament except for the first European Championship they entered in 1968 174 For that tournament Germany was in the only group of three teams and thus only played four qualifying games The deciding game was a scoreless draw in Albania which gave Yugoslavia the edge having won in their neighbour country The team finished outside the top eight in only three occasions group stage eliminations in 2000 175 and 2004 176 alongside a round of 16 exit in 2020 In the other editions Germany participated in they reached at least the semi finals nine times an unparalleled record in Europe See also East Germany and Saarland for the results of these separate Germany teams and Austria for the team that was merged into the Germany national team from 1938 to 1945 FIFA World Cup Main article Germany at the FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup finals record Qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA Campaign nbsp 1930 Did not enter Did not enter nbsp 1934 Third place 3rd 4 3 0 1 11 8 Squad 1 1 0 0 9 1 1934 nbsp 1938 First round 10th 2 0 1 1 3 5 Squad 3 3 0 0 11 1 1938 nbsp 1950 Banned from entering Banned from entering 1950 nbsp 1954 Champions 1st 6 5 0 1 25 14 Squad 4 3 1 0 12 3 1954 nbsp 1958 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 12 14 Squad Qualified as defending champions 1958 nbsp 1962 Quarter finals 7th 4 2 1 1 4 2 Squad 4 4 0 0 11 5 1962 nbsp 1966 Runners up 2nd 6 4 1 1 15 6 Squad 4 3 1 0 14 2 1966 nbsp 1970 Third place 3rd 6 5 0 1 17 10 Squad 6 5 1 0 20 3 1970 nbsp 1974 Champions 1st 7 6 0 1 13 4 Squad Qualified as hosts 1974 nbsp 1978 Second group stage 6th 6 1 4 1 10 5 Squad Qualified as defending champions 1978 nbsp 1982 Runners up 2nd 7 3 2 2 12 10 Squad 8 8 0 0 33 3 1982 nbsp 1986 2nd 7 3 2 2 8 7 Squad 8 5 2 1 22 9 1986 nbsp 1990 Champions 1st 7 5 2 0 15 5 Squad 6 3 3 0 13 3 1990 nbsp 1994 Quarter finals 5th 5 3 1 1 9 7 Squad Qualified as defending champions 1994 nbsp 1998 7th 5 3 1 1 8 6 Squad 10 6 4 0 23 9 1998 nbsp nbsp 2002 Runners up 2nd 7 5 1 1 14 3 Squad 10 6 3 1 19 12 2002 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library, article, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games. | |||||||||||||||||