"The final will be Germany against Argentina," Beckenbauer told the German magazine Kicker.

Germany plays Cameroon on Tuesday for a place in the second round. Beckenbauer ruled out a defeat against the African and Olympic champion.

"Nothing will go wrong," he predicted. "Who thought in 1986 that we would be in the final?"

As a player, Beckenbauer faced Argentina in two World Cup finals. In 1986 in Mexico City, Diego Maradona and his teammates beat Germany 3-2. Four years later in Rome, Germany won 1-0 on a penalty to take the title.

Germany's present coach, Rudi Voeller, scored a goal in the 1986 final.