Like a well-oiled machine, the current World Champions land in Russia once again as the bookie's favourite. And rightly so, this team has been supremely consistent reaching the semifinals in their last 7 major competitions. With a perfect blend of experience and youth, it would be very difficult to bet against Die Mannschaft, who already know what success fees like in Russia, after being crowned Confederations Cup Champions just last year. That Confederations Cup victory was Germany's statement to the world of how titanic their talent bank really is, as not one of the players who played in the victorious 2014 World Cup final even participated at the Confeds. For the World Cup though, all the big names are out and many of the players who won four years ago are present. Ozil, Kroos, Boateng, Khedira, Neuer and Müller are all playing in their third World Cup. These experienced players would be aided by Premier League Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane, 22-year-old German Footballer Player of the Year Joshua Kimmich and the star of Confederations Cup-winning team Leon Goretzka. There is a concern however with Neuer, who missed most of the last year through a foot injury. If required, his deputy is none other than Barcelona’s number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen. For some, ter Stegen should be given the role from the start after another outstanding season. If there are any weaknesses for this German team it would be both up front and the left back position. The word weakness is used loosely as positional options, Jonás Hector, Marvin Plattenhardt, young Timo Warner and Mario Gomez are all players who are important members of their Bundesliga clubs.

Head Coach: Joachim Löw

Population: 82 million

Appearances: 18

Best: Winners 2014, Winners 1990, Winners 1974, Winners 1954

How they Qualified: Germany was flawless in World Cup qualifying winning all of its games scoring a record-breaking 43 goals and only conceding 4. The rotated their squad, experimented with new ideas and in the process ripped apart respectable opposition including the Czech Republic, Norway and the Northen Ireland. Germany continued its record for qualifying for every single World Cup tournament they have entered.

Star Players: Toni Kroos(Real Madrid), Manuel Neuer(Bayern München), Mesut Özil(Arsenal), Thomas Müller(Bayern München), Sami Khedira(Juventus)

Wildcard: Leroy Sane-At just 22 the boy from Schalke's outstanding Gelsenkirchen academy is heading to his second major tournament with the World Champions. The son of an Olympic gymnast and a former professional footballer Sane offers something different and new to German football. His electrifying pace and mazy dribbling could see him push for a starting spot in Russia. Even as an alternative super-sub, once on the field he rarely ever disappoints. (Not Selected in the end)

Legend:Franz Beckenbauer