Neuer set for return to Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad: reports

Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to make a surprise return to Germany’s World Cup squad two years after announcing his international retirement, German media reported on Tuesday.

German tabloid Image claimed that coach Julian Nagelsmann had informed players, including future number one Oliver Baumann, that the 40-year-old would be included in the World Cup squad, which will be announced on Thursday.

In an appearance on German television on Saturday, Nagelsmann declined to speak Heaven Germany reports that the 2014 World Cup winner would return.

The German Football Federation (DFB) also declined to comment when contacted by AFP sports daughter SID on Tuesday.

Neuer retired from Germany after Euro 2024, having made 124 appearances at international level. On Friday he extended his contract with club Bayern Munich by one year until 2027.

Nagelsmann had consistently backed Baumann as the number one option for this summer’s tournament, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen dealing with a series of injury problems.

Although Neuer has impressed this season, winning the man of the match award in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, injuries have become an increasing problem.

Neuer missed several games this season with a calf problem in the same leg he broke in a skiing accident in 2022.

He was taken off after an hour on Saturday due to a recurrence of the same injury in Bayern’s final Bundesliga match of the season and is a doubt for this week’s German Cup final against Stuttgart.

Published on May 19, 2026