Germany's coach Joachim Low has defended his selection for the FIFA Confederations Cup that starts on Saturday ©Getty Images

Joachim Low has defended his controversial decision to name a relatively unfamiliar German squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup that starts in Russia on Saturday (June 17), insisting his star names needed to rest ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Alexey Sorokin, chief executive of the Russia 2018 Organising Committee, was sharply critical this week of Germany’s diminished presence in what has been regarded in the past decade as a crucial rehearsal for World Cup hosts.

Germany, the reigning World Cup champions, have omitted Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil, as well as Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and Mats Hummels from their squad.

Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus has also been rested, while Leroy Sane of Manchester City, Mario Gotze, Manuel Neuer and Julian Weigl are all unavailable due to injury.

"The heart of a football fan bleeds when the reigning World Cup winner plays without stars," Sorokin said.

"They are the reason the fans attend matches.

“But we need to accept it."

Low is planning to experiment at the tournament by giving opportunities to young players, although he acknowledged Sorokin's position on the matter.

"Those players who played so many games reach their limit at some point," Low said.

Alexey Sorokin, chief executive of Russia's Organising Committee for the 2018 World Cup, has expressed dismay over the lack of star names in Germany's squad ©Getty Images
Alexey Sorokin, chief executive of Russia's Organising Committee for the 2018 World Cup, has expressed dismay over the lack of star names in Germany's squad ©Getty Images

"I can understand the hosts in Russia and that they have different expectations.

“But they will see the stars next summer.

"No matter where we will finish the Confederations Cup, it just makes sense to go with this squad.

“It might help us as soon as next year, or maybe in three years.

“One day the Confederations Cup will become important for those who played in it."

Russia will play their opening FIFA Confederations Cup match against the Oceania Football Federation champions New Zealand at the controversy-dogged Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg - one of four 2018 World Cup finals venues being used for Confederations Cup games along with the Kazan Arena, Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi and Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

Eight other 2018 World Cup final venues are in varying states of completion as the host nation works to meet its deadlines on its ambitious plan to build 11 new stadiums and renovate Moscow’s Luzhniky Arena in time for next year’s big start date of June 14.

In the meantime, the host nation has increased security cover and introduced new ticketing restrictions in an attempt to prevent the FIFA Confederations Cup from being marred by hooliganism.

To find out more about this, check out our Big Read here.