Manuel Neuer will return between the sticks for Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after reversing his decision to retire after Euro 2024. | Photo Credit: AFP

The FIFA World Cup has not been a happy experience for Germany of late. Since it won its fourth title in 2014, two trips to international football’s biggest stage have yielded two group-stage exits, and Julian Nagelsmann’s charges face a tall task if they are to rekindle the memories of 2014 in North America this summer.

They will, however, have a member of the 2014 squad to call upon, with veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returning after reversing his decision to retire from international football post the 2024 European Championships. The Bayern Munich shotstopper’s return to the squad means that he will start between the sticks, usurping Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel.

Neuer’s 124 caps will add further experience to a defensive unit that already has significant pedigree at both club and country level. Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum, and Jonathan Tah have all been to international tournaments with Germany before, while simultaneously playing at the elite level with their respective clubs.

One question facing Nagelsmann is how he employs captain Joshua Kimmich. Nagelsmann has previously shown a preference to use the versatile 31-year-old at right-back, but Kimmich has had an exceptional season playing in the middle of the park for Bayern. With his midfield partners Alexander Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka both named in the squad as well, the temptation to move Kimmich infield will be strong.

Going forward, much of the creative responsibility will fall at the twinkle-toed feet of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both of whom have had far from ideal league seasons. Wirtz’s first season at Liverpool has yielded an uninspiring 15 goal contributions, while Musiala spent the bulk of the season sidelined with a serious ankle injury.

However, hopes remain high that they can recreate their best form for Die Mannschaft.

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An exciting new face providing them support is Lennart Karl, the 18-year-old forward from Bayern Munich who has enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 season. Karl’s impressive domestic displays earned him a national team call up in March, and though he suffered an injury in the latter part of the season, he has recovered and will bolster Germany’s attacking stocks.

Karl’s inclusion is all for the better given that with Serge Gnabry’s injury, Germany seems light on out-and-out wingers. Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, who has an impressive 16 goal contributions this year, and Leroy Sane are the only other recognised wide players in the squad, though the likes of Wirtz, Musiala, Karl, and Kai Havertz can all be moved out wide.

Havertz is also one of among the options Nagelsmann will be considering in the centre-forward role. The lanky Nick Woltemade, who was Germany’s top scorer in qualifying, is the incumbent, but his difficult second half of the season at Newcastle United brings both Havertz and crowd favourite Deniz Undav, whose 19 goals for Stuttgart was the second-most in the Bundesliga, firmly into consideration.

The challenge thus begins for Nagelsmann, Kimmich and co. Boasting a squad replete with exciting young attacking talent, and an experienced backline, can Die Mannschaft buck recent history and put up an improved showing this summer?

Germany has been drawn in Group E with Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. It begins its campaign against Curacao on June 14 in Houston.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (gk) – Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum – Leon Goretzka, Alexander Pavlovic – Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz – Nick Woltemade.

Published on May 21, 2026