Overview
- Rudi Völler declined to predict a title, saying he would not declare Germany world champions this year.
- He highlighted young prospects Lennart Karl, Said El Mala and Assan Ouédraogo as promising options pushing toward the senior squad.
- He acknowledged Germany may lack the depth of France or Spain yet insisted the team is stronger than many assume.
- The remarks were delivered at the Lower Saxony FA New Year reception in Barsinghausen before about 190 invited guests.
- Germany was drawn into Group E to face Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.