Germany named a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 21, with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s surprise return from international retirement dominating headlines from Julian Nagelsmann’s selection in Frankfurt.
The 40-year-old Bayern Munich keeper, who retired from national duty after Euro 2024, was recalled and designated as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper for his fifth World Cup. Nagelsmann said the decision reflected Neuer’s quality and the aura he brings to the squad, noting that Oliver Baumann would serve as a world-class backup.
Joshua Kimmich will remain captain despite Neuer’s return. The squad includes five Premier League players: Kai Havertz, Pascal Gross, Florian Wirtz, Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade. Germany opens its Group E campaign against Curacao on June 14 before facing Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Notable omissions included Karim Adeyemi, Niclas Fullkrug and Robert Andrich. Neuer is the only remaining member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad. The team will play a friendly against Finland in Mainz on May 31 before departing for the North American tournament.
Jonas Urbig of Bayern Munich was also included as a fourth goalkeeper backup. Germany, a four-time World Cup winner, will play its group-stage matches across North American venues as the tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time.
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Sources:
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