Germany World Cup Information

Latest Germany World Cup News

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About the Germany National Football Team

Germany is one of the three most successful national teams at international competitions, having won a total of three World Cups and three European championships. They are also one of the most consistent teams. Aside from winning 3 world and continental titles, they were also runners-up 3 times in the European Championships, 4 times in the World Cup and won 3rd place in the World Cup 3 times as well. East Germany won Olympic Gold in 1976. Germany is the only nation to have won both the men's and women's World Cups.

Since their penalty shootout loss to Czechoslovakia in Euro 76, Germany has not lost a penalty shootout in major international tournaments. In fact, the last penalty missed by a German player dates back to the semi-finals of the 1982 World Cup when French goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori saved Uli Stielike's shot. In particular, Germany defeated England in semi-final shoouts in the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96.

German Records

Germany has won the World Cup three times, behind only Brazil (five titles) and Italy (four titles). It has finished as runners-up four times, two more than any other side. In terms of semifinal appearances, Germany leads with 11, one more than Brazil's 10, which had participated in two more tournaments. In the last 14 World Cup tournaments, Germany has always reached at least the stage of the last eight teams. Germany has also qualified for every of the 16 World Cups it has entered — it did not enter the inaugural competition in Uruguay of 1930 for economic reasons, and could not qualify for or compete in the post-war 1950 World Cup as the DFB was re-instated as a FIFA member only two months after this tournament.

The Germany Colours

The national team's home dress has always been a white jersey and black shorts. The colors are derived from the 19th century flag of the north German State of Prussia. The away jersey color has changed several times. Historically, green shirt with white shorts is the most often used alternative color combination, derived from the DFB colors (and the ones of a playing field)[citation needed], though it is also reported that the choice is in recognition of the fact that Ireland, whose home shirts are green, were supposedly the first nation to play Germany in a friendly game after World War II. Other colours such as grey and black have also been used. The last change, from black to red, came in November 2004 on the request of Jürgen Klinsmann, citing that teams in red are statistically more successful, and perceived as more intimidating.[citation needed] He hoped to use the red away shirt as first choice for the 2006 World Cup despite less than impressive results when playing in these colors (for example, the 1-4 loss in Italy), but Germany played every game at the 2006 World Cup in its home white colors.