The DFB-Pokal (Deutscher Fußball-Bund-Pokal or German Football-Federation Cup) is an elimination football tournament held annually. It is the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga championship. The competition format has varied considerably since the inception of the Tschammer-Pokal in 1935.

The DFB-Pokal begins with a round of 64 teams. The 36 teams of the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga, along with the top four finishers of the 3rd Liga are automatically qualified for the tournament. Of the remaining slots 21 are given to the cup winners of the regional football associations.

The three remaining slots are given to three the regional associations with the most men's teams. They may assign the slot as they see fit but usually give it to the runner up in the association cup. As every team is entitled to participate in local tournaments which qualify for the association cups every team can in principle compete in the DFB-Pokal.

Reserve teams like Bayern Munich II are not permitted to enter.

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