Germany's 2014 World Cup Winning Squad: Where Are They Now?

A look at the careers of the 23 players who helped Germany lift the trophy in Brazil.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:05am

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It was Mario Götze who became Germany's hero in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, scoring the winning goal against Argentina. But Götze was far from the only standout on the team that lifted the trophy. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, this article takes a look at where every member of Germany's 2014 squad is today.

Why it matters

The 2014 World Cup triumph was a landmark moment for German soccer, and the players who achieved that success have gone on to have varied careers since then. Examining their post-2014 paths provides insight into the long-term impact of winning international soccer's biggest prize.

The details

Eighteen of the 23-man squad saw action during the 2014 World Cup, helping Joachim Löw's side overcome the world's best, including France and a famously humiliated Brazil in the 7–1 semifinal, to lift soccer's most coveted trophy. The article looks at the current status of each player, from Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos continuing their success to others like André Schürrle retiring early.

  • Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
  • The 2026 World Cup is approaching.

The players

Manuel Neuer

Played every minute of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign, keeping four clean sheets and claiming the Golden Glove as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

Toni Kroos

Seemingly called time on his career in 2024, retiring after winning his fifth Champions League with Real Madrid—the sixth of his career, having also won one with Bayern Munich.

Roman Weidenfeller

Ranks among the Bundesliga's finest-ever goalkeepers, making just under 350 top-flight appearances for Borussia Dortmund across 16 seasons, winning two league titles before retiring in 2018.

Ron-Robert Zieler

The third-choice goalkeeper in Germany's 2014 World Cup–winning squad, Zieler earned just six caps for his country. He is still playing, turning out for Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln.

Philipp Lahm

Germany's captain in 2014, Lahm retired from international soccer immediately after lifting the World Cup. He continued with Bayern Munich before retiring from all soccer in 2017, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest full backs of all time.

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The takeaway

The 2014 World Cup triumph was a landmark moment for German soccer, and the varied post-2014 careers of the players who achieved that success provide insight into the long-term impact of winning international soccer's biggest prize.