Manuel Neuer named Germany’s No 1 for World Cup after U-turn

Manuel Neuer has reversed his international retirement and been named Germany’s starting goalkeeper for the upcoming World Cup by head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Nagelsmann made the decision after previously designating Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as his first-choice keeper.

“Yes I plan with [Neuer as No 1],” Nagelsmann said on Thursday. “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.”

The 40-year-old Neuer, who last represented Germany at Euro 2024 before retiring internationally, will now appear in his fifth consecutive World Cup, joining a select group of players who have played in five or more tournaments.

Neuer, a 2014 World Cup winner, enjoyed a strong season with Bayern Munich, who can secure a domestic double by defeating Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday. He signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.

Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad contained few major surprises, but the coach called up Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, who has risen rapidly this season, along with Nadiem Amiri and Leroy Sané, both of whom had outside chances of earning a spot.

Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi and Kevin Schade are among the players who did not make the selection.

“They [players] 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.”

The squad includes goalkeepers Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart); defenders Joshua Kimmich, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown, David Raum, Waldemar Anton, Pascal Gross, Antonio Rüdiger, Malick Thiaw, Jonathan Tah; midfielders Jamal Musiala, Jamie Leweling, Aleksandar Pavlović, Nadiem Amiri, Felix Nmecha, Angelo Stiller, Leon Goretzka; and forwards Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav, Maximilian Beier, Florian Wirtz, Nick Woltemade, Lennart Karl, Leroy Sané. Julian Nagelsmann is the manager.

Germany will face Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Group E at the World Cup, aiming for a fifth title after suffering first-round exits in 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.”