Germany not among the "top favourites" to win the World Cup, claims Kimmich | OneFootball

Germany will not be among the main favourites to win the World Cup later this year, according to captain Joshua Kimmich.

The 31-year-old believes that two consecutive disappointing group-stage exits at the World Cup (in 2018 and 2022) have influenced how Germany are viewed heading into this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“We're not among the top favourites because we have not delivered in recent tournaments,” Kimmich said at a press conference on Tuesday.

With that said, he also made it clear that the German team shouldn't be discouraged by what happened at the last two World Cups.

“When it starts, nobody cares anymore what happened four or eight years ago,” Kimmich said, adding that he expects maximum commitment from his teammates.

“I expect everyone to fully commit to the bigger picture and give 100 percent.

“We depend on everyone being healthy, ready and getting into good form. The most important thing is that we have all players on board. We have the chance to grow even closer together.”

Germany will face Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador in the group stage.

For now, however, their focus is on the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana.