FIFA WORLD CUP 2015: GERMANY

How they qualified: first place in UEFA Group 1 with 10 victories in as many matches, scoring 62 goals and allowing just four. Best previous Women’s World Cup result: champions in 2003 and 2007. Most recent Women’s World Cup result: 2011, first in Group A with 3-0 record in preliminary round; lost quarter-final to Japan. Noteworthy: Has participated in all seven Women’s World Cups; Germany also won under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2004 (Thailand), 2010 (Germany) and 2014 (Canada). Coach: Sylvia Neid. Coached Germany to title in 2007 World Cup in China. National coach since 2005. FIFA coach of the year for 2010 and 2013. Played for German squad that was runner-up to Norway in 1995 World Cup in Sweden. Stepping down after this World Cup, to be replaced by Steffi Jones. Notable players: Midfielder Nadine Kessler (knee), 2014 FIFA player of the year, and Luisa Wensing (leg), are unavailable because of injuries, while midfielder Famire Alushi recently announced she would not participate after learning she was pregnant with her first child. However, the Germans still have attackers Anja Mittag (11 goals in qualifying), Celia Sasic (nine goals in qualifying) and Alexandra Popp, who won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball as top scorer and top player in the 2010 Under-20 World Cup, and veteran keeper Nadine Angerer, 2013 FIFA player of the year.