Germany national football team

The German national football team is one of the most successful national football teams. They have appeared in seven World Cup finals, winning three. They have appeared in 5 European Championship finals, winning three.

During the existence of the German Democratic Republic from 1949 to 1990 there were two German football teams: The East German and the West German team. World Cup and European Championship victories up to and including the 1990 World Cup were all won by the West German team. The 1976 Olympic Gold medal was won by the East German team. See the East Germany national football team article for more details.

The team is currently coached by Jürgen Klinsmann, a former star striker for the national team. Former coach Rudi Völler, one of the country's most capped players (90) and the coach since July 2000, resigned on 24 June 2004 following Germany's first-round exit in Euro 2004. The replacement process was much more drawn-out than normal. After four prospective candidates either refused to entertain offers or turned down the job, Klinsmann took the job on 26 July. The national team's Away shirt colour has changed several times. The last change, from Black to Red, came in November 2004.

World Cup record

Germany, pre-division

• 1930 – Did not enter
• 1934 – Third place
• 1938 – Round 1
• 1950 – Did not enter

West Germany

• 1954 – Champions
• 1958 – Fourth place
• 1962 – Quarterfinals
• 1966 – Runners-up
• 1970 – Third place
• 1974 – Champions
• 1978 – Round 2
• 1982 – Runners-up
• 1986 – Runners-up
• 1990 – Champions

Germany, post-unification

• 1994 – Quarterfinals
• 1998 – Quarterfinals
• 2002 – Runners-up
• 2006 – Qualified automatically as host

European Championship record

West Germany

• 1960 – Did not enter
• 1964 – Did not enter
• 1968 – Did not qualify
• 1972 – Champions
• 1976 – Runners-up
• 1980 – Champions
• 1984 – Round 1
• 1988 – Semifinals

Germany, post-unification

• 1992 – Runners-up
• 1996 – Champions
• 2000 – Round 1
• 2004 – Round 1

Famous Players

• Michael Ballack
• Franz Beckenbauer
• Paul Breitner
• Helmut Haller
• Jens Jeremies
• Oliver Kahn
• Jürgen Klinsmann
• Miroslav Klose
• Sepp Maier
• Lothar Matthäus
• Gerd Müller
• Günter Netzer
• Oliver Neuville
• Helmut Rahn
• Carsten Ramelow
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
• Harald 'Toni' Schumacher
• Uwe Seeler
• Toni Turek
• Berti Vogts
• Rudi Völler
• Fritz Walter
• Wolfgang Weber