Manuel Neuer returns as Julian Nagelsmann makes some big calls for Germany's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

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Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.

Versatile Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Lennart Karl has been replaced in the squad by RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo due to injury.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper and FIFA World Cup 2014 winner Manuel Neuer, who turned 40 in March, has come out of international retirement to nudge out Noah Atubolu and Finn Dahmen from the squad with Marc-Andre ter Stegen having suffered an injury earlier this year.

Experience has seemingly been the key factor for Nagelsmann with Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger selected ahead of the likes of Yann Bisseck and Leon Goretzka trusted again over Leeds United’s Anton Stach or Goretzka’s Bayern teammate Tom Bischof.

In the final third, Bischof’s fellow Bayern youngster Lennart Karl has been selected but their teammate Serge Gnabry has missed out due to injury but former teammate Leroy Sane has been selected, seemingly at the expense of the unfortunate Said El Mala.

The real star attractions in the final third remain Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, who played well with each other at UEFA EURO 2024, while Premier League winner Kai Havertz is expected to compete for the striking spot alongside Maximilian Beier, Deniz Undav and Nick Woltemade, with Brentford’s Kevin Schade missing out.

After a couple of years of major transition, following the retirements of Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller a couple of years ago, Nagelsmann has seemingly taken the decision to prioritise experience once again for Die Mannschaft’s trip to North America.