Manuel Neuer is reportedly set to come out of international retirement to serve as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports in the German media.
German tabloid Bild claimed that coach Julian Nagelsmann had personally informed players, including prospective number one Oliver Baumann, that the 40-year-old would be included in the squad, which is due to be announced on Thursday.
Nagelsmann had consistently backed Baumann as his first choice for the tournament, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen ruled out due to a series of injury complaints. However, it now appears the Germany coach has had a change of heart, turning instead to his most experienced option.
Neuer retired from international duty after Euro 2024, having made 124 appearances for Germany. He remains active at club level with Bayern Munich, having extended his contract by a year until 2027 just last Friday.
The veteran goalkeeper has impressed at times this season, earning the man of the match award in Bayern’s 2-1 win at Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. However, injuries have been a growing concern. Neuer missed several matches this season with a calf problem in the same leg he broke in a skiing accident in 2022, and was substituted after an hour in Bayern’s final Bundesliga match of the season on Saturday with a recurrence of the same issue. He is now in doubt for this week’s German Cup final against Stuttgart.
The German football federation declined to comment when contacted, while Nagelsmann himself refused to address the reports during a television appearance on Saturday.
