FIFA World Cup: Germany's World Cup squad revealed - Surprise call-up of 17-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko and return of Mario Goetze.

Germany named Youssoufa Moukoko, a teenager from Borussia Dortmund, to their World Cup roster on Thursday, along with Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap.

In addition, the 2014 World Cup champion Mario Gotze made a stunning return to the national squad after a five-year absence.

In 2018, Germany failed to advance beyond the group stage for the fourth time in the previous five tournaments.

Despite suffering a setback in their initial encounter against Mexico, the Germans earned three points against Sweden to enter their final matchday with optimism versus South Korea.

It was a national embarrassment that the European heavyweights were eliminated from the group stage following a stunning 2–0 loss to South Korea, resulting from two late-game goals.

The four-time World Cup champions were not given an easy draw, though, as they will face 2010 champions Spain, Asian powerhouse Japan, and Concacaf's Costa Rica in Group E.

26-man World Cup squad for Germany

In the absence of Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha due to injury, Niclas Fullkrug, a forward for Werder Bremen, also earned a spot after a stellar season in which he scored ten goals.

However, veteran defender Mats Hummels, Dortmund captain Marco Reus, and Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz, who has recovered from a severe knee injury, are not included in the squad.

Youssoufa Moukoko, a prodigiously talented teenager from Cameroon who won't turn 18 for another two weeks, has been called up by Die Mannschaft for the first time.

No player in league history has reached ten league goals at a younger age. He has scored six times in five Under-21 internationals and six times in 13 Bundesliga matches this season.

Forwards: Kai Havertz, Karim Adeyemi, Youssoufa Moukoko, and Niclas Fullkrug.

Mario Gotze, a 30-year-old midfielder, has made a remarkable return to the national team after a five-year absence.

Mario Gotze, who scored the winning goal in Germany's 2014 World Cup final, is back to his best after rejoining Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this season.

In addition to Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, and Julian Brandt will contend for starting positions in the midfield.

Jamal Musiala, a promising young prospect, will also add some originality.

Midfielders: Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller, Julian Brandt, Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan, Jonas Hofmann, and Leon Goretzka.

Antonio Rudiger will likely start with Dortmund's Niklas Sule at centre-back. Thilo Kehrer and David Raum will be confident in their chances as the primary options.

In addition to Matthias Ginter, talented teenager Armel Bella-Kotchap has made a strong case for himself this season.

Defenders: Matthias Ginter, Thilo Kehrer, David Raum, Lukas Klostermann, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Christian Guenter, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule, and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich will be the man between both posts in Qatar, leading the team and remaining the first choice for the fourth straight World Cup.

Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp have been named backup keepers.

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Kevin Trapp.