Germany to unveil pre-World Cup squad on May 6

Germany coach Joachim Loew will unveil a pre-World Cup squad on May 6, the German football federation (DFB) said Thursday.

FIFA rules stipulate that Loew will have to submit his definitive 23-man squad for the World Cup finals on June 11-July 11 no later than June 5.

However the German has been give a selection headache by the fact Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, who both boast several German internationals, will contest the German Cup final on May 15.

It means Loew could have to do without around 10 players for the start of a scheduled training camp in Sicily on May 14-21, and for the first of three pre-tournament friendlies.

Germany will travel to South Africa as one of the favourites for this year’s World Cup, having finished runner-up to Spain in the 2008 European Championships.

A second training camp will be held in Appiano, Italy, from May 21 to June 2.

Germany are in World Cup group D with Australia, Serbia and Ghana.