German nationwide crew coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday introduced his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will probably be held in america, Mexico and Canada.
The lineup announcement obtained little consideration resulting from a lot of the surprises reported in native information just a few days earlier than the official announcement.
Nonetheless, the highest information is the shock return of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who retired from worldwide soccer after Euro 2024. Neuer, 40, loved a robust season with Bayern Munich, notably within the Champions League, however was additionally stricken by accidents. Regardless of rumors that he’s nearing retirement, he not too long ago signed a brand new one-year contract.
Coach Nagelsmann has made it clear that Neuer will probably be primary.
“I advised Oli (Baumann) in March that I had a gathering with coach Manu,” Nagelsmann mentioned of the choice, admitting it was a blow to Hoffenheim’s keeper, however saying he was nonetheless prepared to assist the crew.
“My focus is on naming one of the best three goalies within the nation, and these are one of the best three,” Nagelsmann mentioned. “We known as him and requested him if he needed to play for Germany once more, and he additionally needed to play in tournaments. His athletic capability was considered above all else, however we additionally needed to know if he would proceed taking part in or retire,” Nagelsmann mentioned. “Everybody is aware of what sort of aura Manu has due to his expertise and the titles he has received.”
When requested about communication, Nagelsmann was candid.
“There’s all the time one thing you may look again on and say you could possibly have carried out higher, however there isn’t any assure will probably be higher obtained,” Nagelsmann mentioned. “Soccer is a day by day job. Please perceive that I can not reveal each element of my conversations with gamers. I attempt to clarify issues completely and maintain folks knowledgeable. Typically I’m not as profitable as I would love, and generally I’m profitable.”
One other large information was the collection of teenager Renato Karl (18). Karl has impressed for Bayern this season and regarded snug when he made his Germany debut earlier this 12 months. Felix Nmeka has recovered from harm in time to affix the squad, however Nagelsmann mentioned the midfielder has all of the instruments to change into among the best gamers in his place on the earth.
Germany full squad
goalkeeper
- Manuel Neuer (40, Bayern Munich)
- Oliver Baumann (35, Hoffenheim)
- Alexander Nübel (29 years outdated, Stuttgart)
- Jonas Ulbig (22, Bayern Munich)*
*Coaching goalkeeper
defender
- Jonathan Tarr (30, Bayern Munich)
- Joshua Kimmich (c) (31, Bayern Munich)
- Nico Schlotterbeck (26, Borussia Dortmund)
- Antonio Rudiger (33, Actual Madrid)
- David Raum (28, RB Lepzig)
- Nathaniel Braun (22, Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Waldemar Anton (29, Borussia Dortmund)
- Malik Thiaw (24, Newcastle United)
midfielder
- Pascal Gross (34, Brighton and Hove Albion)
- Leon Goretzka (31, Bayern Munich)
- Alexander Pavlovich (22, Bayern Munich)
- Felix Nmeka (25, Borussia Dortmund)
- Nadiem Amiri (29, Mainz)
- Angelo Stiller (25, Stuttgart)
attacker
- Kai Havertz (26, Arsenal)
- Nick Waltemaid (24, Newcastle United)
- Deniz Undav (29, Stuttgart)
- Jamal Musiala (23, Bayern Munich)
- Florian Wirtz (23, Liverpool)
- Lennart Karl (18, Bayern Munich)
- Jamie Leveling (25, Stuttgart)
- Leroy Sane (30, Galatasaray)
- Maximilian Bayer (23, Borussia Dortmund)
