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Whats the story?
Germany have confirmed their 21-man squad and are finally ready to embark on their FIFA U-17 World Cup journey. Germany qualified as a result of reaching the semis of the 2017 UEFA U-17 Euros. They lost out on penalties to Spain, who went on to become the eventual champions.
In case you didn't know...
Surprisingly, the Germans have never managed to go the distance in a U-17 World Cup and have only managed to go as far as runners-up during the 1985 edition of the tournament that was held in China where they lost 2-0 in the final to Nigeria. They do however have a very good record in the U-17 European Championships as they have taken part in eight finals; winning three and finishing as runners-up in five finals.
The heart of the matter
Having played over 200 senior games at club level in the Bundesliga and a couple of games for the national U-21 Germany team, head coach Christian Wuck certainly has enough of experience and knowledge that he can impart to his young squad. With the senior Germany squad being the current world champions, these are the players that Wuck has selected to try and emulate the success of their senior counterparts
Goalkeepers
Luis Klatte (Hertha BSC), Luca Plogmann (Werder Bremen), Marian Prinz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Defenders
Dominik Becker (1.FC Cologne), Pascal Hackethal (Werder Bremen), Kilian Ludewig (RB Leipzig), Lars Lukas Mai (FC Bayern Munich), Yann Aurel Bisseck (1.FC Cologne), Jan Boller (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Alexander Nitzl (FC Bayern Munich)
Midfielders
Elias Abouchabaka (RB Leipzig), Erik Majetschak (RB Leipzig), Sahverdi Cetin (Eintracht Frankfurt), Yannik Keitel (SC Freiburg), John Yeboah (VfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards
Jann-Fiete Arp (Hamburger SV), Noah Awuku (Holstein Kiel), Dennis Jastrzembski (Hertha BSC), Jessic Ngankam (Hertha BSC), Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn (RB Leipzig), Maurice Malone (FC Augsburg)
What's next?
Germany will take on Costa Rica in the opening game of Group C that will take place at Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa on 7th October at 5 pm. They will also be facing Iran on the 10th in Goa and Guinea on the 13th in New Delhi.
Author's take
Germany certainly have a strong attack as they were the top scorers in the UEFA U-17 Euros with a staggering 15 goals scored in the group stages. Although coach Wuck has picked six forwards in his side, Germany's number 9 and captain Jan Fiete-Arp will be the player to watch out for.
The young striker who recently renewed his contract with German club Hamburger SV despite interest from some of Europe's top clubs made headlines when he scored two hat-tricks at the U-17 Euros. He has also impressed at the club level by scoring 25 goals in 28 games for the youth team which has helped him earn his call-up to the senior club squad. Expect fast flowing football with some beautifully constructed goals from this German side.
