Germany midfielder Sami Khedira pranked with fake return flight tickets

Sami Khedira has suggested that Germany will reach the World Cup final after being handed fake airline tickets during an interview with a Swedish journalist.

The 2014 champions began their campaign in Russia with a shock 1-0 defeat by Mexico, and a second loss against Sweden on Saturday could send them out in the group stage.

Ludvig Holmberg, working for Expressen TV, told Khedira: "When you lose against Sweden on Saturday, you're already on your way home so I have some boarding passes for you and your teammates."

The Juventus midfielder responded by saying: "Thank you, but we won't need them. We think we can win this game. I think we'll need them on July 16 (the day after the final in Moscow).

"We know Sweden are tough when they play at their best but we also know that we have a strong team and we are sure we will win this match."

Brazil were the last country to retain the World Cup, in 1962, while three of the last four holders have gone out in the group stages of the competition.