Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will start in goal for the team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match against Curaçao in Houston on 14 June. The announcement settles speculation regarding the 40-year-old’s fitness following a calf injury sustained during a Bundesliga match in May.
Return To Form After Injury Concerns
Neuer, who had previously retired from international football, was persuaded by Nagelsmann to come out of retirement to lead the German side into the 2026 tournament. While he missed recent pre-tournament friendly matches against Finland and the USA as part of his recovery programme, the coaching staff expressed confidence that he has regained the necessary sharpness.
“All the players are fit and Manu will start,” Nagelsmann said during a pre-match media briefing. “He didn’t have the rhythm, but now he has found the rhythm.”
Significance Of The Opening Fixture
The match against Curaçao is critical for Germany as it marks the beginning of their Group E campaign, which also includes clashes against Ivory Coast and Ecuador. After disappointing group-stage exits in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the return of the experienced captain is seen as a strategic move to stabilise a defence that has struggled with consistency on the global stage.
Neuer’s last international outing occurred during the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where Germany were eliminated by Spain. The national side will look to rely on his leadership and experience during the tournament, which is being hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team is now expected to finalise their match preparations ahead of the kick-off at the Houston venue.