Julian Nagelsmann confirms Manuel Neuer will start as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, choosing experience over form. Neuer is named in Germany’s 26-player squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, two years after ending international duty. The decision affects Oliver Baumann, who had played every qualifier during Neuer’s absence and impressed for Hoffenheim.
Germany enter the World Cup in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curacao, who provide the opening test on 14 June. Opta’s supercomputer rates Germany as the sixth most likely winners, giving Nagelsmann’s side a 6% chance. Spain lead the projections with 16%, followed by France on 13%, England on 11%, Argentina on 10%, then Portugal and Brazil on 7% each.
Nagelsmann turns back to 40-year-old Neuer despite mixed recent numbers at Bayern. Neuer records a 60% save rate in the Bundesliga this season. Baumann posts a slightly higher 64% figure for Hoffenheim, adding seven clean sheets in 34 league matches. During qualifying, Baumann starts all six games for Germany, keeps four clean sheets and concedes only three goals.
The national coach explains that squad building requires balance, yet goalkeeper selection is a special case. For the head coach, the position demands clarity before the World Cup opener against Curacao. Nagelsmann values Neuer’s long record at major tournaments and sees the captaincy experience as important inside a squad featuring both established and newer internationals.
“With a team, you try to nominate the largest possible number of top players. With the goalkeepers, the main task is to nominate the three best goalkeepers,” he said. “That’s why we decided to ask him if he would like to play for the national team again. There were many conversations, both with him and between the coaching team. Everyone knows what kind of aura Manuhas and what he gives to a team. He has committed himself to playing a tournament again. We are planning with him as number 1with the knowledge that we have a world-class 1B solution with us. The decision has been made and is the right one, for me.”
Nagelsmann also discusses the personal effect on Baumann, who helped Germany qualify while Neuer stayed away from international football. Baumann earns trust across the qualifying campaign and secures Germany’s World Cup place, yet now shifts into a backup role. Nagelsmann accepts that such reversals can strain long working relationships between coach and goalkeeper.
“The internal communications between Oli and me or Manu and me will remain internal. We told Oli in March that we had spoken to Manu. In the end, the decision was a blow for Oli. It’s never nice news. I take my hat off to him for playing a good season. He performed very well and he said that he would never let the team down. When Manu plays, he helps the team. Manu has an extremely large number of titles, has an aura, an extremely big name. That’s why Oli doesn’t feel degraded. He has been given the confidence to qualify for the World Cup. I am very grateful to him for that. We’ve known each other forever. Of course, the relationship suffered a bit when you convey such a message.”
Nagelsmann stresses that Baumann remains part of the plan despite Neuer’s clear status as number one. The coach views Baumann as a “world-class 1B solution” and believes competition benefits Germany before facing Ivory Coast and Ecuador later in the group. For Nagelsmann, Neuer’s return, Baumann’s reliability and overall depth give Germany stability in goal heading into the World Cup.
Story first published: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 18:07 [IST]
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