'More important things in life'

Fatmire Alushi has said on Friday that she will sit out the upcoming Women's Football World Cup in Canada as she is expecting a child. The Germany international, with 79 caps for her country, made the statement via a press release on the German Football Association's (DFB) website.

"Of course I would have liked to have played in the World Cup, but there are things in life that are just more important than football," the 27-year-old said, before adding that her stint playing for the national team was a "great time."

Alushi, who previously played under her maiden name Bajramaj, played in Thursday's Women's Champions League final in Berlin for her club team Paris St. Germain, but says she is now focusing on her life as a mother.

"I am really looking forward to it. If everything goes as expected, then at some stage I will try to aim for new goals as a footballer."

Alushi didn't nominate a specific date of when she would return to playing.

World Cup preparations begin

Germany's women's national team coach Silvia Neid said that losing Alushi from her team's World Cup squad just before the tournament in Canada was a "major loss."

"She is an important player for us," Neid said on the DFB website. "But, I am of course happy for her and I wish her all the best for this new stage in her life."

The German women's team will begin preparing for the World Cup this coming Monday in Switzerland. The two time World Champions will then end their training camp on May 27 with an international friendly against the Swiss.

The 2015 Women's World Cup begins in Canada on June 6. The first match sees hosts Canada take on China in Edmonton.

al/apc (dpa, SID)