Clarifying the user's intention

I need to respond to a Chinese statement about Germany qualifying for the World Cup for the 21st time, which is second only to Brazil, who has never missed. The user might be asking for context, verification, or a rewritten headline. Although they didn't specifically request anything, I think it's wise to ask a clarifying question. I should offer additional information, like years and appearance counts, while being careful to avoid any misinformation. Let me check the facts about Germany's World Cup history.Checking World Cup history

As of 2022, Germany has appeared in the World Cup 20 times. Brazil, on the other hand, has participated in all 22 tournaments since the World Cup began in 1930. Germany didn't participate in 1930, was banned in 1950, and then played from 1954 to 2018 and in 2022. So, the phrase "第21次晋级世界杯" likely refers to their upcoming qualification for the 2026 World Cup, marking their 21st appearance. However, "晋级世界杯" indicates qualifying, not past appearances. Germany's qualifications occur through UEFA qualifiers.Reviewing Germany's World Cup qualifications

As of late 2024, the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup haven't been completed yet, and UEFA qualifying will start in 2025. The UEFA qualifying schedule runs from March to November 2025. Germany may not have qualified at this point. I initially counted their appearances as 20, but if I assess from 1934 to 2018, I can see it's 20 appearances in total. So the phrase "第21次晋级世界杯" refers to qualifying for 2026 if they make it. As of December 2025, I expect Germany to qualify.Clarifying World Cup participation statistics

By 2026, Germany would have their 21st participation in the World Cup, while Brazil would have 23 and is noted for never missing a tournament. The statement "仅次于从未缺席的巴西队" is still accurate. Argentina has also missed some tournaments, making the count a bit tricky. They likely have 18 appearances, and if I consider the pictures for 2026, possibly 19. The user may need a rewrite or translation, so I should ask for clarification on what they want!Crafting a concise response

I should acknowledge the user and clarify which World Cup they’re referring to. I’ll provide context by mentioning Germany’s appearance count, the years they missed, and Brazil's count as well. It’s important to note that I’m considering both West Germany and Germany as a single entity. Since the qualifiers likely concluded by December 27, 2025, I can safely say, "如果指2026世界杯，那么德国将是第21次参赛." Then, I’ll ask if they want a caption, text rewrite, or a graphic!