Germany, Argentina,Brazil announce World Cup squad

DORTMUND, Germany, May 15 (Agencies): Injured Manuel Neuer was named in Germany's extended 27-man pre-World Cup squad on Tuesday, but there was no place for Brazil 2014 winner Mario Goetze.

Neuer, Germany's captain and goalkeeper, has not played since September and still has to prove his fitness ahead of the June 14 start to the World Cup finals in Russia. While Goetze misses out, coach Joachim Loew pulled a surprise by handing Freiburg striker Nils Petersen a first call-up.

Meanwhile, injured striker Sergio Aguero and midfielder Lucas Biglia were included in the preliminary, 35-player Argentina squad for the World Cup in Russia on Monday.

Also, four players with few or no games for the national team were picked. The final 23-man squad will be announced next Monday.

Lionel Messi, the captain, was confirmed to play his fourth World Cup.

Meanwhile, Star striker Neymar, who hasn't played a game since breaking a bone in February, was named Monday at the head of Brazil's team seeking a record sixth World Cup in Russia.

Coach Tite announced the team list at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. Neymar's returning form will be a key factor for the team, which lost influential right-back Dani Alves to a injury last week.