Neuer, 40, recalled from retirement for Germany's World Cup squad

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been recalled to the national team at the age of 40, almost two years after announcing his international retirement following Euro 2024. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann named him in his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Neuer continued to play at the highest level for Bayern Munich through the season just ended. After the club's 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign and a Champions League quarter-final run, he posted strong numbers — 76 appearances at a 0.83 goals-against average and 31 clean sheets — that effectively reopened the national-team door.

'Manu is still one of the very best goalkeepers in Europe, and his experience at major tournaments is one of his greatest weapons,' Nagelsmann said at his news conference. 'We needed to rank three goalkeepers in the squad. Marc-André ter Stegen has not quite found his rhythm after the back problems of recent months. In those circumstances, calling Manu was a natural choice, and he said yes with real enthusiasm.'

Neuer had announced his international retirement after Germany's 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Spain at Euro 2024. At the time he cited the heavy physical load at Bayern and family commitments, while leaving the door open to a return. Bayern's level in the 2025-26 season ultimately encouraged him to walk back through that door.

The squad's other goalkeepers are Alexander Nübel of Stuttgart and Kevin Trapp of Eintracht Frankfurt. Nagelsmann said he will 'continue to assess until the end of the season' if ter Stegen's back injury heals. Germany's World Cup group opponents were confirmed at the December draw, and the team will begin the tournament in mid-June.

Neuer's international record is impressive. With 124 caps, he was the golden glove of the 2014 Brazil World Cup and central to Germany's title. This World Cup will be his fifth — a record for a Germany goalkeeper.

Nagelsmann also stressed the leadership dimension. 'We have young players, and experience and calm in the dressing room matter. Manu shapes the team culture even when he is not on the pitch. His return is valuable not only as a goalkeeper but as an older brother who sets the tempo of the group's life.'

Other notable inclusions in the squad are Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala (both Bayern Munich), and Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund). While Germany has played a 4-2-3-1 base under Nagelsmann, Wirtz's drift into the number-ten role has given the side dynamism.

The German press received the recall positively overall. Bild called it 'both brave and necessary — until ter Stegen returns to full fitness, only Neuer can carry the pressure of a major tournament.' Süddeutsche Zeitung said 'Manu's command always made a difference for the way the back line felt secure.'

How Neuer fares in the tournament is the open question. At his fifth World Cup, he could become the first Germany goalkeeper to lift the trophy since the title-winning side around the 1990 Lothar Matthäus era's wider squad. Training begins in early June at the Schloss Höhenried camp near Frankfurt, with the tournament opening on 11 June.