Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from retirement for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship, was included in Germany’s 26-man squad announced on Thursday.Neuer’s return comes at the expense of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who had earlier been assured of the No. 1 position before reports surfaced that Nagelsmann was considering bringing Neuer back.“We told Oli in March that we had a meeting with Manu,” Nagelsmann said, admitting Neuer’s return was “a blow” for Baumann.
Baumann has made 11 appearances for Germany, while Neuer has played 124 matches for the national side. Neuer’s last appearance came in Germany’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal defeat to Spain.
The call for Neuer’s return intensified following several impressive performances for Bayern Munich, particularly in the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid.
However, concerns remain over Neuer’s fitness after Bayern confirmed he is currently sidelined with a calf muscle problem.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, once seen as Neuer’s successor, has struggled with injuries and made only two appearances for Girona after joining the club on loan earlier this year.
Germany’s squad also includes Bayern star Jamal Musiala, who recovered from a broken leg suffered during the Club World Cup in July.
“He's healthy, he's fit and will help us a lot to play a good World Cup,” Neuer said about Musiala.
Germany, four-time world champions, have been placed in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curacao.
The team will begin preparations in Herzogenaurach on May 27 and play warm-up matches against Finland and the United States before the tournament begins.
Germany:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (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 Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlović (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 Sané (Galatasaray)