Neuer Set for Germany Return: 40-Year-Old on Nagelsmann's Preliminary List Ahead of May 21 Reveal
Manuel Neuer, who retired from international football in August 2024, is set to return to the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup. Sky Sport reports Bayern Munich's goalkeeper has been included on Julian Nagelsmann's preliminary list submitted to FIFA and would arrive as the new number one. Final squad on May 21.
M anuel Neuer is on the verge of an international return less than a month before the 2026 World Cup. The 40-year-old, who stepped away from the Germany national team in August 2024, has been named in the preliminary list head coach Julian Nagelsmann submitted to FIFA on Thursday, according to a report from Sky Sport. The German federation is set to publish its final 26-man roster on May 21.
How Nagelsmann brought Neuer back
Sky Sport reports that Nagelsmann found the words to persuade Neuer to come back and help the Mannschaft this summer. Sporting director Rudi Völler is reported to have joined the conversations and helped close the discussion. Unlike Hugo Lloris' rumoured French return as a third goalkeeper, Neuer's inclusion would carry a different status. The Bayern captain is expected to come straight back in as Germany's undisputed number one if he is named in the final 26.
A squad short of cover behind him
The news arrives against the backdrop of a Germany goalkeeping group that has not fully settled. Alexander Nübel and Oliver Baumann are travelling, but neither has nailed down the starter's role. Baumann had been the projected starter for the tournament until the Neuer story moved. Marc-André ter Stegen has long been seen as Neuer's natural successor, but injury issues have repeatedly disrupted his international rhythm.
Decision day May 21
Nagelsmann will reveal the final 26-man squad on May 21 and decide the hierarchy in goal. If Neuer is on the list, the Mannschaft will arrive in North America with a fifth World Cup squad appearance for the Bayern goalkeeper in his back pocket. The federation has so far declined to comment publicly on the report.