World Cup: Germany recall Manuel Neuer, 40, as first-choice goalkeeper
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has brought veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out of international retirement and reinstated him as the country's first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming World Cup. The decision marks a major shift in Germany's plans after Oliver Baumann had been backed as the No. 1 following Euro 2024.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from international retirement, naming the 40-year-old as his first-choice keeper for next month’s FIFA World Cup.
The Germany national football team squad announcement on Thursday marked a dramatic turnaround after Nagelsmann had consistently backed Oliver Baumann as Germany’s No. 1 following Neuer’s retirement after Euro 2024.
“Yes I plan with that (with Neuer as number one),” Nagelsmann told reporters. “The main task was to nominate the best three keepers. So we decided that these three are part of that.”
“We contacted Manuel and asked him if he wanted to play for the national team again,” he added.
Neuer, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, is now set to feature in his fifth consecutive World Cup, joining an elite list of players to have appeared in five or more editions of football’s biggest tournament.
The veteran enjoyed another strong campaign with Bayern Munich, helping the club secure the Bundesliga title. Bayern can still complete a domestic double when they face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday. Neuer also signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.
Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad featured few major surprises, though teenage Bayern talent Lennart Karl earned a call-up after a breakthrough season. Leroy Sane and Nadiem Amiri also made the squad despite being considered outside contenders.
“They fit well together. It is a good mix. Many have been playing since the youth together,” Nagelsmann said. “We are happy with our choice but know others will stay at home who have performed very well.”
Germany have been drawn in Group E alongside Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast as they chase a fifth World Cup title after suffering shock group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022.
“The statement stands,” Nagelsmann said. “We want to become world champions. Every player who is nominated needs to show it now every day.”
Germany squad for FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nuebel
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
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from international retirement, naming the 40-year-old as his first-choice keeper for next month’s FIFA World Cup.
The Germany national football team squad announcement on Thursday marked a dramatic turnaround after Nagelsmann had consistently backed Oliver Baumann as Germany’s No. 1 following Neuer’s retirement after Euro 2024.
“Yes I plan with that (with Neuer as number one),” Nagelsmann told reporters. “The main task was to nominate the best three keepers. So we decided that these three are part of that.”
“We contacted Manuel and asked him if he wanted to play for the national team again,” he added.
Neuer, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, is now set to feature in his fifth consecutive World Cup, joining an elite list of players to have appeared in five or more editions of football’s biggest tournament.
The veteran enjoyed another strong campaign with Bayern Munich, helping the club secure the Bundesliga title. Bayern can still complete a domestic double when they face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday. Neuer also signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.
Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad featured few major surprises, though teenage Bayern talent Lennart Karl earned a call-up after a breakthrough season. Leroy Sane and Nadiem Amiri also made the squad despite being considered outside contenders.
“They fit well together. It is a good mix. Many have been playing since the youth together,” Nagelsmann said. “We are happy with our choice but know others will stay at home who have performed very well.”
Germany have been drawn in Group E alongside Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast as they chase a fifth World Cup title after suffering shock group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022.
“The statement stands,” Nagelsmann said. “We want to become world champions. Every player who is nominated needs to show it now every day.”
Germany squad for FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nuebel
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
