Germany has been going through an unprecedented downturn despite holding an amazing overall record of four FIFA World Cup™ titles, second only to Brazil's five, coupled with three UEFA EURO (European Football Championship) titles (all of which include the West Germany era). Their struggles have continued into this year, as evidenced by their record of one win, one draw, and three losses in the five matches played thus far. As the host of the upcoming EURO, which will take place from June to July of next year, Germany has been exempted from competing in the qualifiers. However, despite their efforts to bolster the team’s strength through international friendlies, they still seem to have a long way to go to regain their prestigious reputation.

Their demise might have begun at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, where they were unable to reach the knockout stage for the first time since World War II. At last year's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, they were similarly ousted in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament after losing their opening match against the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team).

Hansi FLICK, who won multiple titles with Bayern Munich, including the UEFA Champions League, was named as the new head coach after the team was eliminated from the EURO 2020 at the round of 16. Under the new helm, the team displayed a convincing performance in the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, but once again failed to live up to their expectations in the main competition.

To the dismay of their fans and supporters, Germany has been unable to reverse this negative trend in 2023, with two of their three losses coming at home. After the 0-2 loss to Colombia in June, coach Flick was unable to conceal his bewilderment and said that they were in a predicament they had never been in before.

On 31 August, the team announced their squad for the friendly against Japan (9 September) and France (12 September). At the press conference, coach Flick stated that, “We need to win in order to get back our winning mentality.”

Eight of the players selected for this squad started against Japan at the World Cup in Qatar, including Joshua KIMMICH (Bayern Munich), Ilkay GUNDOGAN (FC Barcelona/Spain) and Kai HAVERTZ (Arsenal/England). In addition, Niklas SULE (Borussia Dortmund) and Serge GNABRY (Bayern Munich) have returned to the squad after missing the June series, while 20-year-old Jamal MUSIALA (Bayern Munich) has also been selected. The players, especially those who experienced the disappointment from the previous encounter against Japan, will undoubtedly be looking to redeem themselves at home.

Germany National Team Squad

Head Coach

Hansi FLICK (Germany)

Squad

GK
Oliver BAUMANN (TSG Hoffenheim)
Kevin TRAPP (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Marc-Andre TER STEGEN (FC Barcelona/Spain)

DF
Antonio RUDIGER (Real Madrid/Spain)
Emre CAN (Borussia Dortmund)
Robin GOSENS (1. FC Union Berlin)
Joshua KIMMICH (Bayern Munich)
Niklas SULE (Borussia Dortmund)
Jonathan TAH (Bayer Leverkusen)
Benjamin HENRICHS (RB Leipzig)
Nico SCHLOTTERBECK (Borussia Dortmund)
Felix NMECHA (Borussia Dortmund)
Malick THIAW (AC Milan/Italy)

OF
Thomas MULLER (Bayern Munich)
Ilkay GUNDOGAN (FC Barcelona)
Pascal GROSS (Brighton & Hove Albion FC/England)
Jonas HOFMANN (Bayer Leverkusen)
Niclas FULLKRUG (Borussia Dortmund)
Serge GNABRY (Bayern Munich)
Leroy SANE (Bayern Munich)
Julian BRANDT (Borussia Dortmund)
Kai HAVERTZ (Arsenal/England)
Kevin SCHADE (Brentford FC/England)
Jamal MUSIALA (Bayern Munich)
Florian WIRTZ (Bayer Leverkusen)

Results of last 10 matches (H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground)

Record against Japan

1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss (6 goals, 4 against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™
*Participated as West Germany during 1954-1990

Appearances: 20 times
Best finish: Champions (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
1930　Did not participate
1934　3rd Place
1938　1st Round
1950　Did not participate
1954　Champions
1958　4th Place
1962　Quarterfinals
1966　Runners-up
1970　3rd Place
1974　Champions
1978　2nd Round (Top8)
1982　Runners-up
1986　Runners-up
1990　Champions
1994　Quarterfinals
1998　Quarterfinals
2002　Runners-up
2006　3rd Place
2010　3rd Place
2014　Champions
2018　Group stage
2022　Group stage

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