Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has influenced veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s decision to announce his retirement ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Neuer, who is 40 years old, plans to step down following the 2024 European Championships but has been named to Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournaments taking place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Initially, TSG Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was viewed as the first choice for the position. However, recent speculation suggested that Nagelsmann might recall Neuer, presenting a challenge for the squad’s dynamics. Baumann publicly stated just last week that he had received assurances from the coach about being the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup.
Impact of Neuer’s Inclusion
At 35, Baumann has amassed over 500 appearances in the Bundesliga and has been a reliable contributor to the German national team’s past successes. Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona was considered a strong successor to Neuer, but injuries have hindered his participation, limiting him to just two appearances for Girona since his loan began in January.
Neuer boasts an extensive international record with 124 caps, while Baumann has played 11 times for Germany. Neuer’s last appearance came in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where Germany fell 2-1 in extra time to the eventual champions, Spain. His recent performances with Bayern Munich, especially in the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid, have intensified calls for his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Despite his talents, Neuer’s recurring injuries remain a pressing concern. He had to be substituted during Bayern’s final Bundesliga match due to an issue with his left calf muscle, resulting in team announcements suggesting that he “must rest for the time being.” Whether he will participate in Saturday’s German Cup final against Stuttgart is currently uncertain.
World Cup Preparations Underway
In an effort to build anticipation, the German Football Association (DFB) began announcing its World Cup squad on Thursday morning, leading up to Nagelsmann’s official announcement later that day. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich was the first player confirmed, followed by Deniz Unduff, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, and Bayern’s Jamal Musiala.
Musiala’s impressive performance with Bayern, particularly after recovering from a broken leg sustained during the Club World Cup in July, has earned him a significant spot in the squad. Nathaniel Braun of Eintracht Frankfurt aims to increase his international appearances, having been called up for the tournament.
Although Bayern forward Serge Gnabry will miss the tournament due to injury, fellow young teammate Lennart Karl has successfully made the squad. Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, is set to compete in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and debutants Curaçao.
Preparations for the tournament will kick off in the Bavarian resort town of Herzogenaurach on May 27, slightly delayed from the original schedule. The national team will engage in a preliminary match against Finland in Mainz on May 31, ahead of a critical face-off against the United States in Chicago on June 6.
The official squad features a blend of seasoned and emerging talent across all positions, demonstrating the DFB’s strategic focus on both immediate performance and future development.
Germany’s World Cup squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Braun (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (Leipzig), Walde Mar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Pascal Groh (Brighton), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Malik Thiau (Newcastle), Jonathan Tarr (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leveling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Felix Nmeka (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Unduff (Stuttgart), Maximilian Bayer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Waltemaad (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray)
