Germany soccer coach Joachim Loew selects defender Philipp Lahm as World Cup captain

Lahm to be German soccer captain

FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany coach Joachim Loew has selected Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm as captain of the World Cup team.

Lahm takes the place of Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, who will miss the tournament in South Africa because of an ankle injury.

Manuel Neuer of Schalke has been confirmed as starting goalkeeper, in place of Rene Adler, who is also missing the tournament due to a broken rib.