JAKARTA - Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been persuaded to return from retirement for the 2026 World Cup by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Neuer, 40, retired after Euro 2024, but was included in Nagelsmann's 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
His inclusion is a blow to TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who was assured he was the No. 1 until reports emerged in recent weeks that Nagelsmann was considering recalling Neuer.
Until last week, Baumann said Nagelsmann told him he would be the starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup.
Baumann, 35, has shown in more than 500 appearances in the Bundesliga. He is a team player and committed to Germany's success.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is considered Neuer's natural successor, but he has been plagued by injuries and has only appeared twice for Girona after joining the club on loan in January 2026.
Baumann has made 11 appearances for Germany. Meanwhile, Neuer has defended Germany in 124 appearances - the last of which was in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Euro in Germany in a 1-2 defeat in extra time against Spain.
The clamour to include Neuer in the squad has grown stronger after he produced some outstanding performances for Bayern Munich, particularly against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The only concern is repeated injuries. Neuer left the field early during Bayern Munich's last Bundesliga match this season. FC Hollywood said at the weekend that he had to rest for a while due to a muscle problem in his left calf.
It is not yet clear whether Neuer will play or not in the German Cup final against Stuttgart on Sunday, May 24, 2026, early morning WIB.
In an attempt to drum up more enthusiasm, the German Football Association (DFB) began announcing the 2026 World Cup squad one by one on Thursday, May 21, 2026, local time in the morning before the announcement scheduled by Nagelsmann in the afternoon.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich was the first to be confirmed in his place, followed by Deniz Undav, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala.
Musiala was included in the squad after impressing for Bayern Munich and proving his fitness after recovering from a broken leg at the 2025 Club World Cup in July.
Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown will get the chance to add to his three appearances.
Bayern Munich striker Serge Gnabry is out of the tournament with an injury, while his young teammate Lennart Karl has recovered in time.
Meanwhile, four-time World Cup champions Germany will face Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and newcomers Curacao in Group E of the 2026 World Cup.
Preparations are scheduled to begin at the resort of Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, on May 27, 2026, two days later than originally planned.
The team will play a warm-up match against Finland in Mainz on May 31, 2026, then the United States in Chicago on June 6, 2026.
Germany's squad at the 2026 World Cup
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 Grob (Brighton), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Jamal Musala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Attackers: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munchen), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray)
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