Germany has been the most successful team in World Cup history after Brazil and has won the most titles from Europe. Die Mannschaft’s football of assurance and attitude has lit up the global stage. They have created some iconic moments in their World Cup-winning years, be it the Miracle of Bern in 1954, the 1990 triumph after reunification or the demolition of host Brazil in 2014. Due to their history, Germany has played two eras as simply ‘Germany’ and as ‘West Germany’ in between them, but their dominance on the World Cup landscape has remained unhitched. They are the only team which has stood on the podium at least once during the completed decades in which at least one tournament was held, reflecting their royalty in the competition. The team qualified for every FIFA World Cup tournament they have entered, the second most frequent after Brazil. Germany has produced some iconic figures throughout their history in the tournament, including old gold like Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthäus, blended with modern maestros like Miroslav Klose, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller.
Here are the Frequently Asked Questions about Germany’s performance at the World Cup:
How many times has Germany won the World Cup?
Germany has won the World Cup four times in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014.
How many times has Germany reached the World Cup final?
Germany has reached the final of a World Cup eight times, more than any other side in the tournament's history.
How many times has Germany been runner-up?
Germany has been runner-up four times in the World Cup in 1966, 1982, 1986, and 2002 editions.
How many times has Germany qualified for the World Cup?
After booking their spot in the 2026 World Cup, Germany will make their 21st appearance in the tournament.
When did Germany make their World Cup debut?
Germany made their World Cup debut in the second edition of the tournament in 1934.
How many matches did Germany play at the World Cup?
Germany has played 68 matches at the World Cup stage.
How many matches did Germany win at the World Cup?
Germany has won 68 matches at the World Cup.
How many matches did Germany lose at the World Cup?
Germany has lost 23 matches at the World Cup stage.
What is Germany’s biggest win in World Cup history?
Germany's biggest win in World Cup history is the 8-0 win against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.
What is Germany’s biggest defeat in a World Cup?
Germany’s biggest defeat in FIFA World Cup history is the 8-3 loss to Hungary in 1954.
How many goals did Germany score at the World Cup?
Germany has scored 232 goals in their World Cup history.
How many goals did Germany concede at the World Cup?
Germany has conceded 130 goals at the World Cup.
What is the highest number of goals Germany scored at a single World Cup?
The highest number of goals Germany scored at a single World Cup is 25 when they won their first World Cup in 1954.
Who is Germany’s all-time top scorer in World Cups?
Miroslav Klose is the all-time top goalscorer for Germany in World Cup history with 16 goals. He is also the tournament’s record goal-scorer.
Who scored Germany’s first-ever World Cup goal?
Stanislaus Kobierski scored Germany’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 5-2 win against Belgium in the Round of 16 stage in the 1934 tournament, when it was played in a straight elimination format.
Who has made the most appearances for Germany in World Cup history?
Lothar Matthäus has made the most appearances for Germany in World Cup history over five editions, with 25.
Which goalkeeper for Germany has the most World Cup clean sheets?
The German goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in World Cup history is Sepp Maier with eight.
Which player has captained Germany for the most World Cups?
The player who has captained Germany in the most World Cups is Lothar Matthäus. He wore the captain's armband for them in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
