Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The selection, announced on Thursday, contained few shocks that hadn’t already leaked in local media — but one headline decision dominated coverage: the unexpected recall of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Neuer, 40, had retired from international football after Euro 2024 but has enjoyed a strong season for Bayern Munich, particularly in the Champions League, despite battling injury. He recently committed to another one-year club contract. Nagelsmann confirmed Neuer will take the number one role in the squad, explaining the choice came down to sporting ability and the goalkeeper’s experience and presence in big moments. The coach said he informed Oliver Baumann and the squad in March about discussions with Neuer, acknowledging the decision was difficult for some involved but insisting his priority was selecting the three best goalkeepers in Germany.
Nagelsmann also addressed communication around selections, saying he tries to be thorough but cannot make every detail of conversations public. He admitted there are always things he could have handled better, but defended the process as part of the day-to-day business of elite football.
Alongside Neuer’s return, the inclusion of 18-year-old Lennart Karl drew attention. Karl impressed for Bayern this season and looked composed during his Germany debut earlier in the year. Felix Nmecha, who returned from injury, also made the final cut; Nagelsmann praised his qualities and potential to develop into one of the world’s top midfielders.
Other notable selections include Nadiem Amiri, the Mainz midfielder of Afghan heritage, and Leroy Sané, whose flashes of quality for the national side earned him a place. Nagelsmann highlighted Sané’s value in tight spaces and his standing within the group. Right-back Nathaniel Brown received praise from the coach, who said the young defender might not yet appreciate how good he is. Stuttgart pair Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling were picked, with Leweling’s one-on-one ability singled out.
Jamal Musiala, who had not played for Germany since early 2025 because of injury, was named as well; Nagelsmann stressed Musiala’s capacity to change games with a few decisive actions. Missing from the squad were Niclas Füllkrug, Tom Bischof, Said El Mala, Chris Führich and Maxi Mittelstädt.
The squad reveal was more personal than in past cycles: social media clips featuring messages from family and friends and motivational videos from Nagelsmann were released in the hours before the official announcement to highlight twelve of the selected players.
Neuer’s comeback was doubly newsworthy because of his previous retirement and because of a well-publicised falling-out with Nagelsmann during the latter’s time at Bayern. The coach has, at times over the past year, backed Oliver Baumann as Germany’s number one and insisted there was no goalkeeping problem — making the decision to reinstate Neuer an especially discussed move.
Preparations for the tournament begin at the end of May. The squad will gather in the final week of May (with Kai Havertz joining later due to Arsenal’s Champions League final) and will play a friendly against Finland in Mainz on May 31. The team then travels to the United States on June 2, with a friendly against the USA in Chicago on June 6. Germany’s World Cup campaign opens on June 14 in Houston against Curaçao. The team will be based in North Carolina during the tournament.
Germany’s squad in full:
Goalkeepers
– Manuel Neuer (40, Bayern Munich)
– Oliver Baumann (35, Hoffenheim)
– Alexander Nübel (29, Stuttgart)
– Jonas Urbig (22, Bayern Munich) — training goalkeeper
Defenders
– Jonathan Tah (30, Bayern Munich)
– Joshua Kimmich (c) (31, Bayern Munich)
– Nico Schlotterbeck (26, Borussia Dortmund)
– Antonio Rüdiger (33, Real Madrid)
– David Raum (28, RB Leipzig)
– Nathaniel Brown (22, Eintracht Frankfurt)
– Waldemar Anton (29, Borussia Dortmund)
– Malick Thiaw (24, Newcastle United)
Midfielders
– Pascal Groß (34, Brighton & Hove Albion)
– Leon Goretzka (31, Bayern Munich)
– Aleksandar Pavlovic (22, Bayern Munich)
– Felix Nmecha (25, Borussia Dortmund)
– Nadiem Amiri (29, Mainz)
– Angelo Stiller (25, Stuttgart)
Attackers
– Kai Havertz (26, Arsenal)
– Nick Woltemade (24, Newcastle United)
– Deniz Undav (29, Stuttgart)
– Jamal Musiala (23, Bayern Munich)
– Florian Wirtz (23, Liverpool)
– Lennart Karl (18, Bayern Munich)
– Jamie Leweling (25, Stuttgart)
– Leroy Sané (30, Galatasaray)
– Maximilian Beier (23, Borussia Dortmund)
The selection blends experienced leaders with a handful of young talents, and Nagelsmann will now oversee a compact preparation program before Germany head to North America for the World Cup.