Four lengthy years have handed since Mario Götze's purpose in further time at the Maracanã ensured that Germany can be topped as world champions for the first time in 24 years, and it is lastly time for Die Mannschaft to defend their title.
The four-time World Cup winners may change into the first crew to retain the coveted trophy since the historic Brazil facet of the mid 20th century, who tasted success in each '58 and '62.
Here we take a look at Germany's excellent document in qualifying, their group stage video games and a potential path to the ultimate, in addition to a nearer look at who may information their nation to glory in Russia.
How They Qualified
As far as a profitable qualifying marketing campaign goes, Germany have set the benchmark for the way it's completed with ruthless effectivity.
Their six-team group on the street to Russia included European minnows San Marino (no prizes for guessing that La Serenissima completed qualifying with out a single level) in addition to fellow outsiders Azerbaijan.
With Germany clear favourites to complete at the summit of the group, there was a three-way battle between Norway, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic to take that final qualification spot.
Just six factors separated all three after 10 video games, with Northern Ireland doing simply sufficient to make it in behind the reigning World Cup holders, though they have been later knocked out by Switzerland in a playoff match.
Germany went via the complete marketing campaign with a excellent document. Cricket rating victories towards Norway and San Marino additionally helped Die Mannschaft end the marketing campaign with 43 objectives to their identify - with prime scorers Thomas Müller and Sandro Wagner notching 5 apiece.
Group Stage Games
Germany will not have an straightforward trip in the World Cup group stage marketing campaign this summer time, however Joachim Löw's facet stay as Group F's resounding favourites to ebook their spot in the knockout spherical in first place.
Thier marketing campaign kicks off towards Mexico, the place followers can stay up for seeing a variety of acquainted faces on June 17.
The likes of Javier Hernández, Andrés Guardado, Marco Fabián and Carlos Salcedo all have expertise in the German prime flight, however Die Mannschaft can be clever to maintain one eye on El Tri's golden boy, Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano.
Next up for Germany will probably be a robust take a look at towards Sweden on June 23. The Blågult have had an spectacular 68 gamers function in the Bundesliga since its inception, with Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig) and Ludwig Augustinsson (Werder Bremen) amongst others featured of their ultimate World Cup squad.
Lastly for the reigning champions will probably be a take a look at towards South Korea on June 27. Danger man Heung-min Son will probably be hoping he may cause an upset when he traces up towards a few of his former teammates, having spent seven years in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen.
Possible Route to the Final
With there being a robust consensus that Germany will prime Group F this summer time, their path to the ultimate at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow could possibly be an uphill battle proper from the outset.
A slip up from Brazil may give the Seleção a likelihood at getting revenge following their 7-1 humiliation on dwelling turf at the final World Cup. But a extra seemingly opponent in the final 16 for Germany can be one in every of both Switzerland, Costa Rica or Serbia.
A penalty shootout victory for Die Mannschaft appears to be like all however sure in the quarter finals, with a potential matchup towards England trying to be a robust chance. Belgium may be in competition for a match towards Germany, whereas both Poland or Senegal may have an outdoors likelihood.
Moving into the semi-finals and Germany are more than likely to face a replay of the 2014 ultimate towards Argentina or a match towards fellow European giants Spain. Although the likes of Egypt, Russia, Denmark and even Australia may upset the odds.
And similar to that Die Mannschaft would discover themselves in one other World Cup ultimate.
Squad List
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp (PSG), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Mavin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Jonas Hector (Koln), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchenglach), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Sami Khedira (Juventus), Julian Draxler (PSG), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City)
Forwards: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (Stuttgart)
Predicted Lineup
Joachim Löw experimented a good bit throughout the qualifying part, with forgotten man Mario Götze his most capped ahead throughout the preliminary phases on the street to Russia.
But with Götze not in attendance this summer time, together with Sandro Wagner and Lars Stindl, Löw should discover all his choices forward of the opening day.
The 58-year-old manger is, nonetheless, more likely to stick along with his in style Four-2-Three-1 formation that was on show all through qualifying.
Potential Germany Lineup: T****er Stegen, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Kroos, Khedira, Müller, Özil, Reus, Werner.
Prediction
There is little query that Germany are at least amongst the favourites to raise the World Cup this summer time. The reigning champions displayed their unbelievable capacity all through qualifying, they usually breezed via the Confederations Cup with their B-team.
The likes of France, Brazil and Argentina are additionally amongst the favourites to win the competitors, and though Germany have the likelihood to make historical past by retaining the World Cup, they may face their hardest checks from their South American rivals.
Predicted end: Runners-Up