Germany vs Mexico: Confirmed Lineups – Arsenal Star Returns, Ilkay Gundogan Benched

Germany kick-start their defence of the World Cup against Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia.

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has recovered from a minor knee injury and will start for Germany.

The playmaker of Turkish origin has played in every game for his national team over the last two World Cup tournaments.

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is in the squad but will enter the game on the bench.

Ozil and Gundogan have faced whistles and booing from their own fans over the warm-up games after posing for photographs with Turkish president Recept Tayyip Erdogan.

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Germany have played against Mexico 11 times, with the Germans winning six times. Mexico have recorded just a single victory – back in 1985, against West Germany.

The last time the teams met, Germany won 4-1 in the Confederations Cup in June 2017.

The Mexico side has West Ham striker Javier Hernandez starts upfront getting the nod over Raul Jimenez.

Miguel Layun has been brought into the midfield to add defensive cover and make things more difficult for the Germany side.

Germany vs Mexico Confirmed lineups:

Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Reus, Ozil, Reus; Werner.

Mexico: Ochoa; Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado, Layun; Vela, Lozano, Hernandez.