by Dan Gaichas

While many of the eight teams are sending their best squads to Russia, Germany is sending a youthful squad with an eye towards next year. None of the players are at the age of 30. Only one player has at least 30 caps for Die Mannschaft (Julian Draxler). Just one is from Bayern Munich (two if you count recent signing Niklas Sule). Only three were on the squad that won the 2014 World Cup (Draxler, Shkrodran Mustafi, and Matthias Ginter). Only six were on the squad at Euro 2016 (Mustafi, Drazler, Joshua Kimmich, Emre Can, Jonas Hector, and Bernd Leno). Bastian Schweinsteiger is now with the Chicago Fire. Thomas Müller is retired, Manuel Neuer is recovering from injury.