The 40-year-old Neuer has been persuaded to man the post once more for the World Cup by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. Yankee Scores reports.
The veteran goalkeeper retired after the 2024 European Championship but has been included in Germany’s 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This decision means that he would assume the No. 1 spot ahead of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who was assured of the position. Up until last week, Baumann was saying his “current understanding” was that he’d be the starting goalkeeper for Germany at the World Cup.
When asked about his communication with the players Nagelsmann said, “I ask for understanding that I can’t go into every detail from conversations. I try to explain a lot and take people with me. Sometimes I manage it less well, other times better. … From Oli’s point of view there’s definitely some room for improvement.”
Gemeinsam für Deutschland: Unser Kader für die WM 2026! 🖤❤️💛#dfbteam #fifaworldcup2026 pic.twitter.com/zaxWgXsGGv
— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) May 21, 2026
Baumann has made just 11 appearances for Germany, compared to 124 by Neuer. He has also shown more than 500 Bundesliga appearances.
The demand for Neuer came after his outstanding performance for Bayern Munich this season, particularly against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The German soccer federation (DFB) began announcing the World Cup squad one by one on Thursday.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich was the first player to be announced, followed by Deniz Undav, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
The Four time champions would face Ivory Coast, Ecuador and debutant Curacao in Group E at the 2026 World Cup.
Team Squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (Leipzig), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Pascal Groß (Brighton), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich),
Forwards: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray)
