Neuer Reverses Retirement to Lead Germany's 26 for 2026 World Cup, Kimmich Captains, Musiala and Havertz In

G ermany have confirmed Julian Nagelsmann's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the headline news that Manuel Neuer has reversed his international retirement to return between the sticks. Nagelsmann confirmed the Bayern captain as first-choice in goal in North America. Joshua Kimmich captains the side. Germany chase a record-equalling fifth World Cup crown this summer.

The full 26

Goalkeepers (3): Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart). Defenders (7): Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United). Midfielders (8): Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Groß (Brighton), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (captain, Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart). Forwards (8): Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United). Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig will travel to North America as a training reserve outside the 26.

Neuer back in goal

The biggest news is the return of Manuel Neuer. The Bayern captain joins Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel as the goalkeeping trio, and Nagelsmann has confirmed that Neuer will be first choice. Jonas Urbig will also travel with the squad in North America to help with training and stand by as a replacement should one of the three named keepers go down.

Defence: Anton and Thiaw to first World Cup, Rüdiger to his third

Nagelsmann named Waldemar Anton, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah and Malick Thiaw as the senior defenders, alongside Nathaniel Brown and David Raum as the left-back options and Nico Schlotterbeck at centre-back. For Anton and Thiaw it is their first World Cup, while Rüdiger is travelling to his third. Raum has been first-choice left-back for almost four years, with 36 caps since his September 2021 debut. The Leipzig captain provided seven assists in the Bundesliga last season and was outright top in the division for chances created (96), level with Julian Ryerson for most crosses (199).

Midfield: experience meets youth

A mix of experience and youth runs through the midfield. Kimmich anchors. Leon Goretzka, 31, returns to a Germany squad after strong form for the Bundesliga champions, and travels to his third World Cup. Pascal Groß, 34, goes to a maiden World Cup, as does Felix Nmecha and Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller. After tonsillitis kept him out of the home Euros in 2024, Aleksandar Pavlović will now experience his first senior international tournament at 22 and is expected to anchor the midfield. The headline at the youngest end of the squad is Bayern's Lennart Karl, on the plane after two senior caps in March.

Amiri the standout call-up

Nadiem Amiri is the most striking inclusion. Only Deniz Undav scored more goals among German players across Europe this season than Amiri's 17 from midfield, with which he powered Mainz out of the relegation zone to safety.

Forward line: Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz, Sané, Woltemade

Jamal Musiala is back. The Bayern playmaker has been working back to full fitness over the year after the serious injury sustained at last summer's Club World Cup in the USA. Florian Wirtz joins him as the second creator. Kai Havertz, fresh from winning the Premier League with Arsenal and competing in next week's UEFA Champions League final, will play his second World Cup. Leroy Sané, 16 goals in 74 caps, makes the squad off the back of his move to Galatasaray. Nick Woltemade, Newcastle striker formerly of Werder Bremen and Stuttgart, brings four goals in 10 caps to his first senior tournament. Maximilian Beier returns for his first call-up since October, while Stuttgart's Deniz Undav and Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling complete the attack.

Group E and the schedule

Germany open Group E against Curaçao in Houston on June 14, face Ivory Coast in Toronto on June 20 and close the group against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25. Curaçao are the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, Ivory Coast arrive as African champions, and Ecuador come in with one of the youngest squads at the tournament. Nagelsmann's side will chase top spot in the group to secure the friendlier side of the new 32-team knockout bracket.

Reporting: DFB / Bundesliga, May 21, 2026.