Manuel Neuer, aged 40, has ended his international retirement to play as Germany's starting goalkeeper at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Neuer as the first-choice keeper, placing him ahead of Oliver Baumann, who held the spot before Neuer's return [1, 2, 3].
Neuer last represented Germany at Euro 2024 before retiring from international football. His recall comes roughly two years after retirement, making the 2026 tournament his fifth successive World Cup. That achievement places him among an elite group of players participating in five or more World Cups [1, 4, 5].
The veteran Bayern Munich goalkeeper is the only remaining member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad still in the national team. Neuer recently extended his contract with Bayern, underlining his continued club form [1, 6, 5].
Despite some concerns over a recurring calf injury affecting his fitness, Neuer will start in goal in the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico [4, 7]. Nagelsmann praised Neuer’s aura and quality, stating, “Everyone knows the aura and quality Manu has, what he brings to a team. We're planning with him as our number one” [2].
Germany’s 26-man World Cup squad includes players such as Lennart Karl, Nadiem Amiri, Leroy Sane, Joshua Kimmich—who will remain team captain despite Neuer’s return—and Kai Havertz. Notable omissions from the squad are Niklas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade, and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen [1, 6, 5, 8].
Germany will compete in Group E alongside Curacao, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast [1, 3]. Germany has won the World Cup four times but suffered shock first-round exits in the last two tournaments in 2018 and 2022 [1, 5].
Nagelsmann emphasized his ambition, saying, “We want to become world champions. Every player who is nominated needs to show it now every day” [5].
The squad announcement was made on May 21, 2026. The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across three North American nations [1, 7].
