Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer came out of international retirement to start in goal for Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming a recall that was reported when Nagelsmann named his 26-man squad via individual DFB Instagram videos on 21 May 2026. At 40 years old, Neuer is one of the oldest players in the tournament, featuring in the same remarkable oldest-ever World Cup field as Scotland's Craig Gordon (43) and Bosnia's Edin Dzeko.

Born 27 March 1986 in Gelsenkirchen, Neuer transformed the goalkeeper position with his sweeper-keeper style, playing as an additional outfield player and redefining how keepers engage with space. He joined Bayern Munich in 2011 after nine years at Schalke, and won the 2013-14 Champions League and the 2014 World Cup with Germany, earning the Golden Glove at both tournaments. He had retired from international football after Euro 2024, which Germany hosted before losing to Spain in the quarter-finals.

Neuer's return raises questions about Germany's goalkeeping hierarchy under Nagelsmann. Marc-André ter Stegen had established himself as the primary alternative, but Nagelsmann's decision to start Neuer signals he values experience and presence at a tournament Germany are strongly fancied to win.