Germany World Cup squad: Neuer returns as Nagelsmann picks

Frankfurt, 21 May 2026 Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has selected veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as his first-choice keeper for the 2026 World Cup in North America, announcing a 26-player squad on 21 May. The 40-year-old Bayern Munich captain, who retired from international football after Euro 2024, makes a surprise return to lead Germany between the posts. Neuer is the only remaining member of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning squad. Nagelsmann confirmed Neuer would start despite Oliver Baumann having played all six World Cup qualifiers. 'The main task is to nominate the three best goalkeepers in the country,' Nagelsmann said at the squad announcement in Frankfurt. 'That's why we asked Manu if he was ready to come back.' The squad includes Bayern teenager Lennart Karl, 18, who has two caps, while Cologne striker Said El Mala was a notable omission despite scoring 13 goals this season. Four Dortmund players made the cut: Waldemar Anton, Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck and Maximilian Beier. Germany will base themselves in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during the tournament. Their Group E fixtures begin against Curaçao on 14 June, followed by Ivory Coast on 20 June and Jamaica on 25 June. ## Squad Composition Before the World Cup, Germany will play warm-up matches against Finland in Mainz on 31 May and the USA in Chicago on 6 June. The expanded 48-team tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nagelsmann acknowledged Baumann's disappointment at being demoted: 'It was a blow for Oli, which is understandable. But I tip my hat to him for the season he's had.' The squad features a mix of youth and experience, with Neuer's 124 caps contrasting sharply with uncapped 19-year-old reserve keeper Jonas Urbig. Bayern provide seven players to the squad, followed by Dortmund with four. ## Tournament Preparation Germany's recent tournament record has been poor, with group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Nagelsmann is under pressure to improve on their quarter-final finish at Euro 2024. The coach defended his late decision to recall Neuer: 'Everyone knows what aura Manuel has and what he gives to a team.' Neuer extended his Bayern contract until 2027 last week. Other notable inclusions are Arsenal's Kai Havertz and Liverpool's Florian Wirtz, while RB Leipzig's David Raum earns his first World Cup call-up after missing the 2022 tournament. ## Notable Inclusions and Omissions Matthias Ginter was another high-profile omission after Freiburg's Europa League final defeat. Nagelsmann said some players would be unhappy: 'I can't promise everyone will be happy at the end.' Germany's preparation begins on 27 May, later than initially planned. They will be among the favourites in a group many consider favourable, though Nagelsmann warned: 'I've never said we will become world champions.' The expanded tournament format means three teams advance from each of the 16 groups, with the top two progressing directly to the last 32. Germany last won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. ## Tournament Format Neuer's return caps a remarkable international comeback after his 2024 retirement. He previously served as Germany's number one from 2010 to 2024, playing in every major tournament during that period. The squad announcement followed days of speculation in German media, with several names leaked beforehand. Nagelsmann said internal debates were now settled: 'The discussions are over. We're fired up.'

Germany Names Squad for 2026 World Cup with Neuer as First-Choice Keeper

Squad Composition

Tournament Preparation

Notable Inclusions and Omissions

Tournament Format