FIFA World Cup 2026: Boosted by Neuer’s return, Germany looks to end group stage hoodoo

The World Cup has not been a happy experience for Germany lately. Since winning the title for a fourth time in 2014, two trips to international football’s biggest stage have seen them exit the group stages twice, and Julian Nagelsmann’s forwards face a tall order if they want to rekindle the memories of 2014 in North America this summer.

However, they will be able to call on a member of the 2014 squad, with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returning after reversing his decision to retire from international football after the 2024 European Championships. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper’s return to the squad means he will start between the sticks, taking over for Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel.

Neuer’s 124 caps will add further experience to a defensive unit that already has a significant reputation at both club and country level. Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum and Jonathan Tah have all previously been to international tournaments with Germany, while simultaneously playing at elite level with their respective clubs.

One question Nagelsmann faces is how to hire captain Joshua Kimmich. Nagelsmann has previously hinted at using the versatile 31-year-old as a right-back, but Kimmich has had an exceptional season playing in the middle of the park for Bayern. With his midfield partners Alexander Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka both included in the squad, the temptation will be to move Kimmich onto the pitch.

Going forward, much of the creative responsibility will fall to the twinkling feet of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both of whom have had far from ideal league seasons. Wirtz’s first season at Liverpool yielded an impressive 15 goals, while Musiala was sidelined for most of the season with a serious ankle injury.

However, hopes remain high that they can recreate their best form for Die Mannschaft.

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An exciting new face to support them is Lennart Karl, the 18-year-old Bayern Munich forward who had a breakthrough season in the 2025-2026 season. Karl’s impressive domestic performances earned him a call-up to the national team in March, and although he suffered an injury in the latter part of the season, he has recovered and will strengthen Germany’s attacking stock.

Karl’s inclusion is a good thing as Germany look light on wingers due to Serge Gnabry’s injury. Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, who has an impressive 16 goal contribution this year, and Leroy Sane are the only other recognized wide players in the squad, although the likes of Wirtz, Musiala, Karl and Kai Havertz can all be deployed out wide.

Havertz is also one of the options Nagelsmann will consider in the centre-forward role. The lanky Nick Woltemade, who was Germany’s top scorer in qualifying, is the incumbent, but his difficult second half of the season at Newcastle United puts both Havertz and crowd favorite Deniz Undav, whose 19 goals for Stuttgart were the second most in the Bundesliga, firmly under consideration.

So the challenge begins for Nagelsmann, Kimmich and co. With a squad full of exciting young attacking talent and an experienced backline, can Die Mannschaft break recent history and perform better this summer?

Germany is placed in group E with Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. It starts its campaign against Curaçao on June 14 in Houston.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (gk) – Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum – Leon Goretzka, Alexander Pavlovic – Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz – Nick Woltemade.

Published on May 21, 2026