Germany are hosting the Euros 2024 which makes it the third time the country have welcomed their footballing competitors over the course of their history. Here’s 15 facts about the multi-cup winning host nation!

1. They played their first game in 1908

Germany played their first official international match against neighbours away to Switzerland. They were defeated 5–3 in Basel, in April 1908.

2. The stars above the badge

The four stars above the badge represent the number of times they’ve won the World Cup!

3. Germany have played most of their home games in Berlin

Germany have played their home fixtures in 43 different cities around the country, but have played 46 in Berlin alone, where they played their first home match.

4. Their captain is İlkay Gündoğan

The former Manchester City midfielder made his senior international debut in 2011 and has made over 80 appearances for his country. Gündoğan is also the first footballer of Turkish heritage to captain Germany in a major tournament.

5. Miroslav Klose is the team’s highest goal scorer

The Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most goals scored for Germany. During a 13-year international career, he made 137 appearances and scored 71 times! His club career is impressive too. Between 1998 and 2016, he scored a total of 212 times at club level.

6. They have a few nicknames

German fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to nicknames for the national team. They’re known as DFB-Team (DFB Team) Nationalelf (National Eleven), DFB-Elf (DFB Eleven) or Die Mannschaft (The Team).

7. Their biggest win was in 1912

Germany’s biggest victory happened over a century again when they took on the Russian Empire in July 1912. The game – which took place in Stockholm, Sweden – ended in a 16-0 win!

8. They were beaten 9-0 by an amateur team

Germany’s biggest defeat took place in Oxford when they faced the England Amateurs. The final score was 9-0!

9. They’re ranked the 16th best team in the world

While they’re currently place at 16 in the FIFA World Rankings, they’ve been at number 1 many times over thanks largely to their World Cup and European Championships victories. Their lowest ranking is 22nd, which happened in March 2006.

10. They share a rivalry with the Netherlands, Italy and England

German fans count the Netherlands and Italy as their big football rivals, but further afield, there’s an intense rivalry with England. Let’s not forget England beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley!

11. Their manager is Julian Nagelsmann

This centre-back was forced to end his playing career at the age of 20 due to a knee injury, but he’s coached the likes of TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich before being made manager of the national team in 2023.

12. They’ve won a LOT of trophies

After 20 appearances in the World Cup, the German side have lifted the trophy an impressive four times – 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 – plus they’ve won the European Championship 3 times in 14 appearances (1972, 1980, 1996). They’ve won gold at the 1976 Olympics in Canada, too!

13. Germany once scored a goal in 7 seconds

As part of the run-up to the 2024 Euros, Germany played France in a friendly in March 2024. In a comfortable 2-0 victory, Florian Wirtz opened the German’s account with a goal after just 7 seconds. It beat the previous record by the narrowest of margins, when Lukas Podolsk scored against Ecuador in 2013.

14. Lothar Matthäus is their most-capped player

Lothar Matthäus played for both West Germany and Germany, and over the course of his career, earned a combined total of 150 caps. He also scored 23 goals too! During his career, the defender also represented clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

15. The men and women’s team have something amazing in common

There are only two countries who have won both the World Cup and the Women’s World Cup. Spain is one of them. Can you guess the other? That’s right, it’s Germany! The men’s team won in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. The women’s team have won the ultimate prize twice, in 2003 and 2007.