Germany’s national team manager Julian Nagelsmann has now nailed down the final 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup, after presenting a preliminary gross squad of 55 players last week.
Neuer is in – after he had actually retired
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 40, was surprisingly included in the preliminary squad – this despite leaving the national team as early as 2024.
Read: England’s World Cup squad: The five decisions Thomas Tuchel has missed terribly
Now he is also ready for the final squad. With his 124 caps under his belt, he will most likely overtake Oliver Baumann in the race to be Germany’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
Unlike several other national team managers, Nagelsmann has chosen to only bring three goalkeepers – no fourth goalkeeper here.
Strong Premier League department
Otherwise, the squad is characterized by a solid Premier League contingent. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is in, as is Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz. Newcastle duo Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade will also be on the plane to the United States.
Brentford’s Kevin Schade on the other hand? He stays at home.
Musiala to lead the way – 18-year-old ready
Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala is the designated leader of Germany in the championship. By his side, he has his 18-year-old teammate Lennart Karl, who has also played his way into the great squad.
Big surprise: Leroy Sané is there
It has caused some wonder among German supporters that Galatasaray winger Leroy Sané is being trusted.
The 30-year-old, who previously played for Manchester City, has scored seven goals and provided five assists for the Turkish club this season. He arrived there on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer.
Sané has been selected ahead of Borussia Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi – a choice many are questioning.
Leaked squad did not vote
On Wednesday, a leaked squad emerged that claimed that FC Cologne striker Salid El Mala was among those selected. The 19-year-old does not yet have caps for Germany.
But he is not to be found in the official announcement.
How Germany plays in the group stage
Germany has been drawn in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. Curacao, Ecuador and the Ivory Coast await there.
Here is Germany’s 26-man squad for the World Cup – in its entirety
Goalkeepers:
Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Monaco)
Defenders:
Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich – captain), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid – vice-captain), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
Midfielders:
Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Attacking players:
Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray), Denis Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
Read on Popidol: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” sets a new record – 43 years after its release
