Manuel Neuer returns to the German national team and will go to the 2026 World Cup

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is resuming his career with the German national team and is heading with the squad to the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This is stated in the German national team's roster, UNN reports. 

"Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The 26-man squad is led by the captain of Germany's record champions FC Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich, who is preparing for his third World Cup appearance," the statement reads. 

Goalkeeper and Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer, who has earned 124 caps for the national team, is returning to the squad. 

Nagelsmann suggested that Neuer could be the No. 1 between the posts for the national team at the World Cup. 

"Yes, I plan for Manu to be the number one. Regarding goalkeepers, the coach's main task is to take the three best. We decided that Alex, Oli, and Manu are the three best goalkeepers in the country. Therefore, we decided to contact Manu and ask if he would like to play for the national team again. Everyone knows the aura Manuel has and what he brings to the team. He agreed to play one more tournament. We plan for him to be our No. 1, knowing that we have a world-class option in Oli Baumann. The decision has been made – and for me, it is the right decision," 

Addendum

In August 2024, Manuel Neuer announced his retirement from the national team. The goalkeeper spent 15 years with the national team and played 124 matches for Germany, serving as team captain for seven years. During his tenure with the national team, Neuer won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was a bronze medalist at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and a bronze medalist at the 2012 European Championship hosted by Ukraine and Poland, as well as in 2016 in France. 

Germany was drawn into Group E for the World Cup, along with Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao. 

Football: Manuel Neuer ends his career in the German national team21.08.24, 18:11 • 15226 views