Michael Ballack has warned the World Cup will be difficult for Germany and an exit before the semi-finals "would mean failure".

The national team captain will miss the tournament due to injury and believes the task facing Germany was always destined to be tricky. After Germany finished runners-up in 2002 and in third place four years later, their public expect more success.

But Ballack told Stern magazine: "Straight after the draw was made, I said that people should know that you can lose against anybody in the group stages. Australia, Serbia and Ghana are all athletic, robust teams."