2026 World Cup: Nagelsmann names Neuer in Germany squad

Bayern Munich’s legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the talking point after he was included in the 26-man Germany World Cup squad by head coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday, www.aclsports.com reports.

The inclusion of Neuer, although largely reported before Thursday remains a surprise after the goalkeeper had retired from international football two years ago with Nagelsmann insisting that Neuer will be first choice to the Americas.

Neuer’s return marks a crushing blow for SC Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu, born to Nigerian parents, who had hoped that his impressive form with the modest Europa League finalists could earn him a place in the squad.

Another returnee in the Germany squad is Jamal Musiala who has not featured for the team for over a year, largely due to injury and Nagelsmann has also included experienced Galatasaray winger Leroy Sane and Nadiem Amiri, whose parents are from Afghanistan.

Eintratcht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown was also included, with Nagelsmann saying the right back probably didn’t even realize how good he is. Both Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling also made the final 26, with the Germany head coach citing the latter’s one-on-one skills as a key factor in his decision.

Niclas Füllkrug, Tom Bischof and Said El Mala missed out, as did Chris Führich and Maxi Mittelstädt.

Germany will open their World Cup campaign with a clash with Curaçao in Houston, Texas on June 14 before facing Côte d’Ivoire six days later in Toronto, Canada. Their final group match will be against Ecuador on June 25 at the iconic MetLife Stadium.

GERMANY FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer (40, Bayern Munich)
Oliver Baumann (35, Hoffenheim)
Alexander Nübel (29, Stuttgart)
Jonas Urbig (22, Bayern Munich)*
*training goalkeeper

Defenders
Jonathan Tah (30, Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich (c) (31, Bayern Munich)
Nico Schlotterbeck (26, Borussia Dortmund)
Antonio Rüdiger (33, Real Madrid)
David Raum (28, RB Lepizig)
Nathaniel Brown (22, Eintracht Frankfurt)
Waldemar Anton (29, Borussia Dortmund)
Malick Thiaw (24, Newcastle United)

Midfielders
Pascal Gross (34, Brighton and Hove Albion)
Leon Goretzka (31, Bayern Munich)
Aleksandar Pavlovic (22, Bayern Munich)
Felix Nmecha (25, Borussia Dortmund)
Nadiem Amiri (29, Mainz)
Angelo Stiller (25, Stuttgart)


Attackers
Kai Havertz (26, Arsenal)
Nick Woltemade (24, Newcastle United)
Deniz Undav (29, Stuttgart)
Jamal Musiala (23, Bayern Munich)
Florian Wirtz (23, Liverpool)
Lennart Karl (18, Bayern Munich)
Jamie Leweling (25, Stuttgart)
Leroy Sané (30, Galatasaray)
Maximilian Beier (23, Borussia Dortmund)