Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been coaxed out of retirement for the World Cup by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. The 40-year-old Neuer retired after the 2024 European Championship but was included in Nagelsmann's 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. His inclusion is a blow to Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who was assured he was the No. 1 until reports emerged in recent weeks that Nagelsmann was thinking about a Neuer recall. Up to last week, Baumann was saying Nagelsmann told him he'd be the starting goalkeeper at the World Cup.

The 35-year-old Baumann has shown over more than 500 Bundesliga appearances that he's a team player, and he's unlikely to let any personal disappointment have any impact on Germany's chances of success. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was seen as Neuer's natural successor but has been beset by injuries and made just two appearances for Girona after joining the club on loan in January. Baumann has made 11 appearances for Germany, compared to 124 by Neuer, whose last game was in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals hosted by Germany, a 2-1 extra time loss to eventual champion Spain.