Neuer returns as Germany name World Cup squad

FRANKFURT: Manuel Neuer has been brought back into Germany’s World Cup plans, with coach Julian Nagelsmann naming the veteran goalkeeper in his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 40-year-old had stepped away from international football in 2024, but he is now set to appear at the World Cup for a fifth time. Nagelsmann said Neuer would be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Oliver Baumann.

Speaking at the squad announcement in Frankfurt, Nagelsmann said:

Everyone knows the aura and quality Manu has, what he brings to a team.

We’re planning with him as our number one.

Despite Neuer’s return, Joshua Kimmich will continue as captain. Bayern Munich’s Neuer is the only player left from Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad.

Jamal Musiala has returned after missing Germany’s March friendlies while recovering from a broken ankle. Leroy Sane, now with Galatasaray after spells at Bayern Munich and Manchester City, has also kept his place in the squad.

Nagelsmann’s attacking options include several players based in the Premier League, among them Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade. Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, 18, has also earned a place at a major tournament for the first time.

Notable omissions and changes

Matthias Ginter, another member of the 2014 World Cup-winning group, was left out despite his role in Freiburg’s run to the Europa League final. Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw was preferred in central defence.

Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who had been called up for the March friendlies, did not make the final squad. However, he will still travel with the team to assist in training during the tournament.

Serge Gnabry was not selected because of a thigh injury, while Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen also misses out. Recent regulars Niclas Fuellkrug and Robert Andrich were likewise omitted.

Germany’s recent tournament record

Germany won their fourth World Cup in 2014, with Neuer playing a leading role in that triumph. Since then, however, the team has struggled at major tournaments.

They were eliminated in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup, their earliest exit since 1938, and suffered another group-stage departure in Qatar four years later. Since reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, Germany have managed only one knockout-stage win in the European Championship, a 2-0 victory over Denmark on home soil at Euro 2024.

Neuer has impressed for Bayern this season and was named man of the match in the quarter-final win over Real Madrid. But he heads into the World Cup with concerns over a recurring calf problem and is also doubtful for Saturday’s German Cup final against Stuttgart in Berlin.

Build-up to the tournament

The German Football Association began unveiling the squad through social media videos on Thursday, confirming players one by one, with Kimmich announced first.

Germany will play Finland at home on May 31 before taking on World Cup co-hosts the United States in Chicago on June 6. The team will be based in North Carolina during the tournament.

Germany have been drawn in Group C alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle/ENG)

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion/ENG), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool/ENG)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal/ENG), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray/TUR), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade