Surprise World Cup news as Germany legend with "aura and quality" comes out of retirement

Manuel Neuer, 40, has come out of international retirement to join the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup. He remains Bayern Munich’s number one goalkeeper but has not played for Germany since the team’s defeat to Spain at Euro 2024 two years earlier. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has recalled Neuer and plans to use him as the tournament’s first-choice goalkeeper. The squad also includes experienced players such as Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, and Kai Havertz. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Niclas Fullkrug, Karim Adeyemi, and Kevin Schade are not included. Germany are drawn in Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador.

"Legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has come out of international retirement to join the Germany squad for this summer’s tournament. The 40-year-old remains the number one goalkeeper for Bayern Munich, but has not featured for Germany since his side’s defeat to Spain two years ago at Euro 2024. Still, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has recalled Neuer for the World Cup, and he’ll be the team’s number one in the tournament in North America."

"Germany are so often among the favourites for the major international tournaments and a quick glance at the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds will show that they’re up there, even if not quite in that elite bracket with France, Spain, and England at the moment. Including an experienced winner like Neuer will surely help, though, and there’s a great deal of quality elsewhere in that squad. Nagelsmann has made some interesting calls with the Germany squad, as Neuer returns and other experienced big names are also there too."

"Nagelsmann has made some interesting calls with the Germany squad, as Neuer returns and other experienced big names like Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, and Kai Havertz are also there too. There are notable players missing as well, though, with no space in the squad for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Niclas Fullkrug, Karim Adeyemi, or Kevin Schade. Germany are placed in Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador."

"On paper at least, that looks like a decent draw for the four-time winners of this competition, who will then hope for a favourable draw in the knockout stages as they look to improve after a disappointing last few tournaments. Germany last won the World Cup in 2014 but went out at the gr"

Read at www.caughtoffside.com