Germany are traditionally a strong team in world football. They have been winners of the FIFA World Cup four times, playing as West Germany in 1954, 1974 and 1990, and as united Germany in 2014.

In 2006 and 2010 Germany finished third at the World Cup. They have reached the final eight times (4 wins, 4 runners-up). As one of the 2018 pre-tournament favorites, Germany crashed out in the group stage after defeats to Mexico and South Korea. The last time they failed to make it past the first hurdle of the tournament was in 1938. In 2022 in Qatar, Germany again crashed out in the group stage. Germany have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

1934

Germany reached the semi-finals of the 1934 FIFA World Cup, but lost 1-3 to Czechoslovakia. However, the team won its third-place match against Austria. 

1938

Germany lost 2-4 to Switzerland in the first round at the 1938 FIFA World Cup and couldn't progress to the next stage of the competition.

1954

Germany won the 1954 FIFA World Cup by winning Hungary 3-2 in the final of the competition.

1958

Germany lost 1-3 to Sweden in the semi-finals of the 1958 FIFA World Cup. The team also lost 3-6 to France in the third place final fo the competition.

1962

Germany lost 0-1 to Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals of the 1962 FIFA World Cup and couldn't progress to the next stage of the competition.

1966

Germany reached the final of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, but lost the trophy to England.

1970

Germany reached the semi-finals of the 1970 FIFA World Cup, but lost 3-4 to Italy. However, the team won the third-place match 1-0 against Uruguay.

1974

Germany won the 1974 FIFA World Cup final match against the Netherlands.

1978

Germany made it out of Group 2 at the 1978 FIFA World cup. However, the team failed to make it out of Group A in the competition.

1982

Germany reached the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, but lost the trophy to Italy.

1986

Germany reached the final of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, but lost the trophy to Argentina.

1990

Germany won the 1990 FIFA World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final match.

1994

Germany reached the quarter-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, but lost 1-2 to Bulgaria.

1998

Germany reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but lost 0-3 to Croatia. 

2002

Germany reached the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but lost the trophy to Brazil.

2006

Germany reached the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but lost 0-2 to Italy. The team won the third place match against Portugal.

2010

Germany reached the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but lost 0-1 to Spain. The team won the third place match against Uruguay.

2014

Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 in the final match.

2018

Germany didn't make it out of Group F at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

2022

Germany didn't make it out of Group E at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

2026

Germany have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is in Group E and will play against top teams like Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curacao.

Trivia

  • Germany is one of several teams that have been banned from participating at the World Cup. The German national football team was barred from the 1950 World Cup for their role in the Second World War.
  • A Saarland national football team participated in the qualifying section of the 1954 FIFA World Cup, but failed to qualify after coming second to the West German team, but ahead of Norway. Saar existed from 1947 to 1956 in the Saarland, a part of Western Germany that was occupied in 1945 by France. Saarland rejoined Germany in 1957.
  • German mid-fielder Stefan Effenberg was sent home early by coach Berti Vogts in USA 1994 after he gave the finger to a fan during a finals match. Effenberg was sent home immediately after the incident, and refused to rejoin the national squad from then on.
  • Uwe Seeler of West Germany is one of three players to have scored in four successive finals tournaments (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970). One of the others is German player Miroslav Klose (the other is that guy Pele).
  • Paul Breitner of West Germany is one of three players to have scored in two World Cup finals - 1974 and 1982. The others are Vava of Brazil in 1958 and 1962, Pelé of Brazil 1958 and 1970.