Veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has made a shock return to the Germany national team after being named in coach Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 40-year-old, who retired from international football in 2024, is set to feature at the World Cup for a fifth time after Nagelsmann confirmed that the Bayern Munich star will reclaim the number one shirt ahead of Oliver Baumann.
Speaking during Thursday’s squad announcement in Frankfurt, Nagelsmann praised Neuer’s leadership and experience, insisting the veteran goalkeeper remains a key figure for the team.
Despite Neuer’s return, Joshua Kimmich will continue as Germany captain.
Former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, now playing for Galatasaray, also retained his place in the squad.
Neuer, who played a decisive role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, is now the only surviving member of that victorious squad still involved with the national team.
However, experienced defender Matthias Ginter missed out despite helping Freiburg reach the Europa League final, with Malick Thiaw preferred in defence.
Young Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig was omitted from the final squad after featuring in March friendlies, although he will remain with the team during the tournament to assist in training.
There was also a return for Jamal Musiala, who missed Germany’s recent friendlies while recovering from a broken ankle.
Nagelsmann selected several Premier League-based attacking players, including Kai Havertz of Arsenal, Florian Wirtz of Liverpool and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United.
Teenage Bayern prospect Lennart Karl also earned his first major tournament call-up.
Meanwhile, Serge Gnabry was ruled out through injury, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen also failed to make the squad. Regulars Niclas Fuellkrug and Robert Andrich were also left out.
Germany will play Finland on May 31 before facing World Cup co-hosts the United States in Chicago on June 6.
The four-time world champions are drawn in Group C alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart).
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United).
Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool).
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United).
