FIFA World Cup 2026 | Manuel Neuer earns surprise recall to Germany squad

The 40-year-old, who plies his trade with Bayern Munich is the only remaining member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2014.

Seasoned goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was handed a surprise recall to Germany's 26-man World Cup squad on Thursday (May 21) with the 40-year-old set to come out of international retirement to play in the tournament for a fifth time.

The Bayern goalie retired from international duty in 2024, but coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed the World Cup winner will play ahead of Oliver Baumann.

Joshua Kimmich will retain the captaincy despite the long-time skipper's return.

Former Manchester City and Bayern winger Leroy Sane, now at Galatasaray, has retained his spot.

Neuer is the only remaining member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2014.

Munich's Jamal Musiala returns to the squad after missing Germany's March friendlies as he recovered from a broken ankle.

Nagelsmann named a Premier League-heavy attacking contingent, which includes freshly minted English Premier League champion Kai Havertz of Arsenal, Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Newcastle's Nick Woltemade.

Bayern youngster Lennart Karl, 18, was also called up to a major tournament for the first time.

Germany crashed out at the World Cup group stage in 2018 for the first time since 1938 and repeated the feat four years later in Qatar.

The Germans will have one final match on home soil, against Finland on May 31, before facing World Cup co-hosts the United States in Chicago on June 6.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle/ENG)

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion/ENG), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool/ENG)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal/ENG), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray/TUR), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle/ENG)

The FIFA World Cup 2026, which will have a record 48 teams in the fray will be held from June 11 to July 19 in US, Canada and Mexico.

Germany are drawn in Group C alongside debutants Curacao, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

(With inputs from agencies)