Germany boss Jogi Low has axed superstar winger Leroy Sane for the World Cup squad that will defend the title in Russia.

It comes as a huge surprise for the world of football as the Manchester City winger has not been included, with Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt preferred.

Sane was involved in 33 goals in competitive games 2017-18 (14 goals, 19 assists) - more than any other German player in the big five European leagues.

Manuel Neuer, who has been on an injury list for quite some time, is included and will lead Germany's defence of their World Cup crown. Neuer's participation has been in serious doubt after an injury-hit season for the Bayern Munich goalkeeper. However, the 32-year-old came through Saturday's friendly defeat to Austria unscathed.

Germany Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Paris St-Germain).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Paris St-Germain), Leon Goretska (Schalke), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Manchester City).

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Nils Petersen (SC Freiburg), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig).