(Photos) Germany players covered their mouth during bizarre team photograph before World Cup kick off against Japan

Germany got their 2022 World Cup campaign off with a shock defeat against Japan on Wednesday. 

The German side who seems to be favourite fell to 2-1 loss at the end off 90 minutes in their opening group game of the FIFA competition. 

Prior to the kick off, Germany were among the top favorites to win the tournament but they just looked unprepared as they suffered the defeat. 

Ilkay Gundogan had given Germany the lead in the first half from the penalty spot. 

The Manchester City midfielder converted from the spot in the 33rd minute but a double salvo from Japanese substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano turned the score around in just eight minutes. 

Meanwhile the German side took the headlines with their team photograph before the kick off. 

The players lined up and then all put a finger covering their mouths.

Fans have questioned their reason for the pose, but analyst suggest that they decided to send message to FIFA after they refused teams from wearing rainbow armband in support of human rights and the LGTBIQ+ community.

 The gesture was explained Germany national team have shown their support for the LGTBIQ+ community.