Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be Germany's number one goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Manager Jurgen Klinsmann said Lehmann would be in goal in the first match of the competition against Costa Rica on June 9 in Munich.

Lehmann, who has been outstanding for the Gunners in the Champions League this season, has been in an acrimonious tussle with Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn for the starting berth.

Klinsmann said: "This was the most difficult decision of my term. After the match against the USA, we have carefully analysed developments over the past 22 months and have now made our decision.

The Republic of Ireland kick off their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign against Germany in September.