Manuel Neuer was set to start for Germany at the World Cup after his return, even though Oliver Baumann had long been considered the team’s first choice.
Published May 21, 2026
Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer was named the starting goalkeeper for coach Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany national team on Thursday, returning from international retirement to play in next month’s World Cup.
Nagelsmann made this decision after long naming Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as his first choice keeper.
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“Yes, that’s the plan (with Neuer as No. 1),” Nagelsmann said at a press conference. “The main task was to name the best three keepers, so we decided these three would be a part of that.”
“We contacted Manuel and asked him if he would like to play for the national team again,” Nagelsmann said.
The 40-year-old Neuer, who last appeared for Germany at Euro 2024 before retiring from international football, joins an elite group of footballers who have played in five or more tournaments and will play in his fifth consecutive World Cup.
2014 World Cup winner Neuer has had a strong season with champions Bayern, who can clinch a domestic double if they beat VfB Stuttgart in Saturday’s German Cup final.
He signed a contract extension with Bayern last week.
There were few other major surprises for Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad heading into the tournament, which begins next month. However, the manager also brought in Bayern’s teenage player Lennart Karl, who has improved rapidly this season, as well as Nadiem Amiri and Leroy Sane, who had the chance to earn spots from outside.
“They (the players) fit well together. It’s a good combination. A lot of them have been playing together since they were young,” Nagelsmann said. “We are happy with our choice, but we know that others who performed very well will remain at home.”
Germany will face Curaçao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Group E of the World Cup as they aim to win their fifth title after shocking first-round exits in the previous two editions in 2018 and 2022.
“The statement stands,” Nagelsmann said. “We want to be world champions. Every player named has to show that every day.”
Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Alexander Noubel
Defenders: Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, Nathaniel Brown, Jonathan Tarr, Waldemar Anton, Pascal Gross, Joshua Kimmich, Felix Nmeka, Marik Thiau, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Antonio Rudiger, Angelo Stiller
Midfielders/Forwards: Leon Goretzka, Maximilian Baier, Jamal Musiala, Nadiem Amiri, Jamie Lewelling, Kai Havertz, Lennart Kahl, Florian Wirths, Deniz Unduff, Nick Waltemaid, Leroy Sane
