Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has unveiled his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and a notable comeback. The announcement on May 21, 2026, confirmed the return of 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had retired from international football in 2024, and a somewhat surprising inclusion for Galatasaray forward Leroy Sane, reported by Sportbible.
Neuer’s unexpected international return
Manuel Neuer, the Bayern Munich stalwart, makes a remarkable return to the national setup. With 124 international caps to his name, Neuer is widely expected to reclaim his position as Germany’s number one goalkeeper, replacing Oliver Baumann. Nagelsmann opted against selecting a fourth goalkeeper, entrusting the gloves to Neuer, Baumann (Hoffenheim), and Alexander Nubel (Monaco).
Sane’s path from Galatasaray to the World Cup
The call-up for Leroy Sane, 30, has raised some eyebrows among fans. Sane, who joined Galatasaray on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer after a previous stint with Manchester City, enjoyed a productive season in Turkey. He contributed seven goals and five assists for his club, evidently enough to convince Nagelsmann of his value. His inclusion comes at the expense of other forwards like Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Brentford’s Kevin Schade.
The squad also sees a strong contingent of Premier League talent, including Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), and Nick Woltemade (Newcastle). Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the midfield, while 18-year-old Lennart Karl, also from Bayern Munich, represents the youthful exuberance in the squad.
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Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) will captain the side, with Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger serving as vice-captain. The full squad reflects a mix of experience and emerging talent, as Germany prepares for their Group F campaign against Curacao, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast.
Notably absent from the official announcement was Salid El Mala, the uncapped 19-year-old FC Koln forward, who had been erroneously named in a leaked squad list circulating earlier in the week.
Sources: www.sportbible.com
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