Germany and France have announced their final 23-man squads for the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
Joachim Löw, the coach of Germany, has decided to go with only one recognised striker in Lazio's Miroslav Klose, even though Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), André Schürrle (Chelsea) and Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich) are all capable of playing in that role.
Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi, Borussia Dortmund left-back Marcel Schmelzer and Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland were the three final cuts that were made.
The 54-year-old German coach admitted making the final selection was extremely difficult considering the effort put in by each and every player.
"I was amazed at how all the players presented themselves in South Tyrol. Each individual has worked excellently. Players have done what I ask for. It is very hard to make this decision and Shkodran, Marcel and Kevin are naturally very disappointed. I understand that as they had every right to hope to be going to Brazil," said Löw.
However, Löw insisted he is confident the players he has selected will do well in Brazil.
"Of all the players selected I have 100 percent confidence. We have the right mix of youth and talent and players with lots of experience. Our squad is balanced, with two players in every position. Our players have character, this team has character, and we will go to Brazil with confidence and with big goals."
Germany have been drawn in Group G alongside Portugal, Ghana and the United States.
Squad: Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Christoph Kramer (Borussida Mönchengladbach), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Forward: Miroslav Klose (Lazio)
Meanwhile, France coach Didier Deschamps has decided to go with Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery despite the forward suffering from lower back pains.
Ribery has been a doubt for the World Cup after a persistent lower back injury kept him out of action during the Les Bleus' pre-World Cup friendly against Paraguay on Sunday.
However, Deschamps, who earlier controversially left out Manchester City's Samir Nasri from the provisional squad, is confident the forward will be fit before the start of the World Cup.
The only notable change in Deschamps' final 23-man squad features Marseille's injured goalkeeper Steve Mandanda being replaced by St-Etienne's Stephane Ruffier.
France have been drawn alongside Honduras, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E
Squad: Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (St Etienne), Mickael Landreau (Bastia)
Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), Lucas Digne (Paris St Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Paris St Germain), Clement Grenier (Olympique Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newcastle United), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
