German Chacellor Friedrich Merz has wished the national team well for the World Cup in a video call, saying that "the whole of Germany has their fingers crossed for you."
A video on Merz's Instagram account showed the chancellor talking from his office to captain Joshua Kimmich, defender Jonathan Tah, forward Kai Havertz and coach Julian Nagelsmann at the team's base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"Yes, we need this kind of support," the players said, with Merz pledging that "you will get it."
Merz also told Nagelsmann that "we will talk on the phone how the situation is once the first games have been played."
Germany start the World Cup on Sunday against debutants Curaçao and also play Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage. Germany have won the World Cup four times but went out in the group stage in the last two editions.
Merz also wished the team well on X, saying: "The whole country is behind the team. Here's to a great World Cup."
Merz will watch the start of the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada on TV from Germany and has so far not said if he will attend a match of the German team.
