Loew picks 26 players for get-together

The 26 players will assemble in Munich for two "marketing" days that will include shoots for sponsors and similar activities.

Germany's head coach Joachim Loew exercises with a ball prior to a training session of the German national team in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. Germany will play a friendly soccer match against Italy on Friday in Milan. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

Germany coach Joachim Loew has offered a glimpse into his expected World Cup squad by picking 26 players for a series of publicity events.

The 26 players will assemble in Munich for two “marketing” days that will include shoots for sponsors and similar activities.

But Loew also wants to use the time to get his players into the World Cup mood.

Loew says it is “extremely important” to be able to speak personally to players.

Arsenal players Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski will be missing due to club commitments. But the injured Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez have been invited.

Loew did not include any newcomers.

The 26 players invited to Munich:

Goalkeepers: Rene Adler (Hamburger SV), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron—Robert Zieler (Hannover).

Defenders : Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburger SV), Heiko Westermann (Hamburger SV).

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Sidney Sam (Bayer Leverkusen), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea).

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Fiorentina), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Rom)e, Max Kruse (Borussia Moenchengladbach).