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With a rich World Cup pedigree and a worldwide reputation for being formidable, Germany will approach Brazil 2014 amongst the favorites to win the tournament. The three-time World Cup winners remain among the highest ranked nations in world football, and have made considerable steps in recent years to preserve their dominance. Having not won a major international tournament since winning Euro ’96, Germany changed their entire football philosophy and placed great emphasis on youth production which would create many generations of world-class players. The 23-man squad which Joachim Low will put his faith in to take Germany one step further from consecutive third-placed finishes in 2006 and 2010 will illustrate the considerable wealth of top young players that is emerging from youth academies. With the German squad announced, it will be fascination to see if they live up to expectation as Europe’s greatest hope of challenging Brazil and Argentina to win the 2014 World Cup.

Provisional squad

As this summer’s World Cup draws ever closer, managers of the thirty-two participating nations will begin to finalize their plans and publicly announce the 23 players who will represent their country in Brazil. Germany has a vast talent pool to choose from, with a number of experienced players also available for selection in what could be their final World Cup hurrah. Many managers would love to be in Joachim Low’s shoulders in having so many world-class players at their disposal, although it has created widespread debates as to which of Germany’s young proteges are ready to play at the most prestigious tournament in football.

The recent announcement of Germany’s provisional 30-man squad for Brazil 2014 raised a few eyebrows, as a number of the Bundesliga’s young superstars have been preferred over experienced players who bring previous World Cup experience to the table. Joachim Low has picked a squad he believes has the right balance of experience and carefreeness from young players who are given license to express and enjoy themselves.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers may arguably be the only area which met all expectations, although Kevin Trapp and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen may feel unfortunate to be left out after enjoying excellent seasons for their respective clubs. Manuel Neuer, Roman Weidenfeller and Ron-Robert Zieler stand out at the best German keepers, with Neuer remaining one of the best in the world and always hits top form at major tournaments.

Defenders

The absence of Heiko Westermann may appear surprising, but the Hamburg defender has seriously struggled for form during a nightmare season where they will face a promotion/relegation play-off to prevent dropping out of the Bundesliga. There is no place for Dennis Aogo either, as Low has gone for Borussia Dortmund’s up-and-coming 19-year-old left back Erik Durm, Shkodran Mustafi and Matthias Ginter. They accompany Germany’s best defenders in the form of Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels and Per Mertesacker, while the likes of Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Howedes and Marcel Schmelzer completing a hugely impressive calibre of defensive options.

Midfielders

Despite missing the entire season through injury, the inclusion of Sami Khedira was widely predicted as Joachim Low places great value in the Real Madrid midfielder to control the engine room. Aside from Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was nailed on to be included as one of the best midfielders in the world, Low has opted for a young midfield packed with creative flair, pace and a nerveless approach to the game which will make them a formidable force. Schalke trio Leon Goretzka, Julian Draxler and Max Meyer are not only highly talented, but are poised to cap wonderful seasons by appearing at the 2014 World Cup. Another new name amongst the German ranks is Andre Hahn who has been a revelation in the Bundesliga with Augsburg, with the fastest player in Germany set to join Borussia Monchengladbach after the World Cup. Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil were shoe-in inclusions, while Lars Bender offers defensive solidity that could be crucial against stronger nations.

Strikers

An excellent goal-scoring record for Germany was not enough for Mario Gomez to be called up for the 2014 World Cup, with the Fiorentina star missing out due to a lack of first-team action and missing most of the season through injury. Veteran star Miroslav Klose has, however, been included in the 30-man squad in what could be a sentimental gesture from Low to allow the 35-year-old to finish a wonderful international career in style. Klose is just two goals away from breaking Ronaldo’s all-time scoring record in World Cup tournaments – you would be hard pressed to back against Klose rolling back the years and making history. Alongside Klose will be the dangerous trio of Lukas Podolski, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle, with Reus standing out as a striker on the very top of his game. Young prospect Kevin Volland got the nod ahead of Gomez – a decision which was well received across Germany, as the Hoffenheim starlet has excelled throughout the season and displayed a lethal touch in front of goal that could be useful at the World Cup.