Germany World Cup roster drops harder than the bass in a Pendulum song

From the experienced (Lena Goeßling – 33 years-old) to the sickeningly young inexperienced (Lena Sophie Oberdorf – 17-years-old) the Germany World Cup squad looks to stretch over every eventuality. The only real novelty is the head coach, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has just three games with the team since taking over.

Does this make Germany a bit of a wild card? Maybe, but they’ll still Germany and we all know what that means when it comes to winning tournaments.

The squad itself is largely predictable; with Merle Frohms, Lisa Schmitz and Carina Schlüter possessing seven caps between them, it’s no great surprise that MVT has opted to name Laura Benkarth in the squad. The goalkeeper the traditional second choice before being sidelined for a year due to injury, although still just with eight caps, it’s clear the coach has favoured tournament experience – Frohms the current in-form goalkeeper in the league, makes the final cut.

Both Leonie Maier and Carolin Simon get the nod in defence, although it’s unclear just how fresh and match-ready they’ll with both having seen limited minutes this season. Marina Hegering, who had a stand-out debut in Sweden, has earned her spot and will be quite the unknown defender for many. Still with the Esseners, Voss-Tecklenburg has also named a quartet of SGS’s attacking force and could well end up leaning on the inbuilt partnerships between them.

Like Oberdorf, Klara Bühl’s age will have eyes popping, the teenager already one of the rising stars of the Frauen-Bundesliga. She is joined by Freiburg teammate, Giulia Gwinn. Although it’s unlikely Bühl will start, Gwinn already looks to have carved out a starting spot for herself in the XI and along with Lea Schüller and Lina Magull is on the verge of announcing herself to the world.

In addition to the 23, Voss-Tecklenburg has also named five alternates who can be called upon if anyone has to suddenly drop out. The DFB has also released a video to accompany the announcement and remind the nation that they have one of the most successful national teams in European history. (The video is as sick as their new kit and we stan.)

Goalkeepers: Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg), Laura Benkarth (FC Bayern München), Merle Frohms (SC Freiburg)

Defenders: Carolin Simon (Olympique Lyon), Kathrin Hendrich (FC Bayern München), Leonie Maier (FC Bayern München), Marina Hegering (SGS Essen), Lena Goeßling (VfL Wolfsburg), Sara Doorsoun (VfL Wolfsburg), Johanna Elsig (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Giulia Gwinn (SC Freiburg)

Midfielders/attackers: Lena Sophie Oberdorf (SGS Essen), Lea Schüller (SGS Essen), Linda Dallmann (SGS Essen), Turid Knaak (SGS Essen), Svenja Huth (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Olympique Lyon), Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg), Sara Däbritz (FC Bayern München), Verena Schweers (FC Bayern München), Melanie Leupolz (FC Bayern München), Lina Magull (FC Bayern München), Klara Bühl (SC Freiburg)

Alternates: Kristin Demann (FC Bayern München), Lisa Schmitz (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Felicitas Rauch (FFC Turbine Potsdam), Lena Lattwein (TSG Hoffenheim), Pauline Bremer (Manchester City)