Neuer named Germany’s starting World Cup goalkeeper in comeback

BERLIN — Manuel Neuer has reversed his international retirement and will be Germany’s starting goalkeeper at next month’s World Cup, coach Julian Nagelsmann announced Thursday.

Nagelsmann had previously indicated Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann would be his first choice, but changed course after deciding to recall the veteran Bayern Munich keeper.

“Yes, I plan with that [with Neuer as number one],” Nagelsmann told a press conference. “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,” said Nagelsmann.

The 40-year-old Neuer last played for Germany at Euro 2024 before retiring internationally. He is now set to compete in his fifth consecutive World Cup, joining an elite group of players with five or more tournament appearances.

Neuer, a World Cup winner in 2014, had a solid season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The club could secure a domestic double by beating VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday.

Neuer signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.

Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournament, which starts next month, included few major surprises. The coach called up Bayern teenager Lennart Karl, who enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, as well as Nadiem Amiri and Leroy Sane, both of whom had outside chances of earning a spot.

“They [players] fit well together. It is a good mix. Many have been playing since their youth together,” Nagelsmann said. “We are happy with our choice, but know others will stay at home who have performed very well.”

Germany, who face Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Group E at the World Cup, have set their sights on a fifth title after shock first-round exits in the past two editions 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.”

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel

Defenders: Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Nathaniel Brown, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Pascal Gross, Joshua Kimmich, Felix Nmecha, Malick Thiaw, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Antonio Rudiger, Angelo Stiller

Midfielders/Forwards: Leon Goretzka, Maximilian Beier, Jamal Musiala, Nadiem Amiri, Jamie Leweling, Kai Havertz, Lennart Karl, Florian Wirtz, Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade, Leroy Sane