Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) has ended his international retirement to play for Germany at next month's World Cup, after head coach Julian Nagelsmann officially announced him as the number one goalkeeper in the squad on Thursday.
Nagelsmann made this decision despite previously naming Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) as his first-choice goalkeeper. At a press conference, Nagelsmann said: “Yes, I have that plan (with Neuer as number one). The main task is to select the three best goalkeepers. So we decided these three are part of that.”
The coach added: “We contacted Manuel and asked him if he wanted to play for the national team again.” Neuer, 40, last played for Germany at Euro 2024 before announcing his international retirement. He will now participate in his fifth consecutive World Cup, joining an elite group of players with five or more appearances at the tournament.
A 2014 World Cup winner, Neuer has had a solid season with Bayern, who could achieve a domestic double by beating VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday. He also signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.
Nagelsmann's 26-man squad contained few major surprises, but the coach also called up Bayern youngster Lennart Karl—who has had a rapid rise this season—along with Nadiem Amiri and Leroy Sane, players who have earned a chance from outside the squad.
Nagelsmann commented: “They (the players) combine very well together. It is a good mix. Many have played together since they were young. We are happy with our selections, but know others at home have performed very well.”
Germany, placed in Group E with Curacao, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast, aim for a fifth world title after shock group-stage exits at the previous two World Cups (2018 and 2022). “The statement still stands,” Nagelsmann said. “We want to become world champions. Every player called up needs to show that every day.”
Germany squad for FIFA World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel
Defenders: Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Nathaniel Brown, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Pascal Gross, Joshua Kimmich, Felix Nmecha, Malick Thiaw, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Antonio Rudiger, Angelo Stiller
Midfielders/Forwards: Leon Goretzka, Maximilian Beier, Jamal Musiala, Nadiem Amiri, Jamie Leweling, Kai Havertz, Lennart Karl, Florian Wirtz, Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade, Leroy Sane
