TheCable

FIFA World Cup defending champions, Germany, have announced their 27-man party to the Russia Mundial next month.

The 2014 champions who disgraced Brazil 7-1 at the semi final stage before overcoming Argentina 1-0 in extra time have kept faith with injured Manuel Neuer, despite their first choice goalkeeper being out with a broken foot since September last year.

However, there is no room in the squad for Brazil 2014 hero, Mario Gotze, who has been overlooked for selection. The former Bayern Munich player and Borussia Dortmund legend, who scored the winning goal against Argentina at the final in Brazil has been out of form, and national team coach, Joachim Low, has decided to look elsewhere.

Notable players on the plane to Russia include Mesut Ozil, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Leroy Sane, injury-prone Marco Reus; and surprise inclusion of Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated centre back, Jonathan Tah.

Four-time winners, Germany will start their defence of the FIFA World Cup trophy in Group F against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea.

Germany provisional 27-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Strikers: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Nils Petersen (SC Freiburg), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)