Nagelsmann confirms Neuer's return for Germany's World Cup opener against debutants Curaçao

Julian Nagelsmann ended any uncertainty about Germany's goalkeeping plans 17 hours before kick-off by announcing that Manuel Neuer, the nation's record appearance-maker at the position, will reclaim his spot between the posts for the World Cup opener against Curaçao. The match at Houston's covered and climate-controlled NRG Stadium pits the four-time world champions against a nation of 150,000 – the smallest ever to qualify for a men's World Cup finals. Nagelsmann described the sporting mismatch as "David versus Goliath" and called the objective simple: "the first three points."

Neuer's path back and the debut at 40

Neuer had missed Germany's pre-tournament friendlies against Finland (4-0) and the United States (2-1) with a calf injury he picked up at the end of the Bundesliga season. Since arriving at the team's base camp in Winston-Salem, however, the 124-cap goalkeeper has completed every training session without issue. His final workout on Saturday morning – which began at 10:13 local time in 30-degree heat with cooling fans and ice vests – left Nagelsmann satisfied. "All players are healthy, Manu will begin. Nobody reported sick or anything happened today," the coach said.

This will be Neuer's fifth World Cup appearance, his first international match since the Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat against Spain on 5 July two years ago. He had retired from the national team after that tournament but was recalled by Nagelsmann shortly before the June nomination deadline. On Sunday he will also become the oldest player ever to represent Germany.

The decision to reinstate Neuer comes at the expense of Oliver Baumann, who had served as first choice in recent months. "At first it was hard. That was not entirely cool from my feeling," Baumann admitted, though he added that he "immediately" accepted the call and never considered skipping the tournament.

An unusual security check on the tarmac

Germany's travel to Texas included an unusual stop: a full security screening on the runway of Winston-Salem's Smith Reynolds Airport. Players such as Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala were frisked by officers with detectors in front of the charter jet, and silver team cases were inspected. Manuel Neuer even sat on a chair for the procedure. The protocol is required by FIFA for all team movements during the tournament and is designed to keep squads away from public terminal buildings.

Klopp and Müller tease Nagelsmann's future

Away from the pitch, remarks by TV pundits Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Müller during Thursday's opening-match broadcast stirred speculation about Nagelsmann's tenure. Klopp, commenting on the German line-up, said: "Luckily Julian Nagelsmann selects the team" – then added a pointed "for now." Müller, a former player under Nagelsmann, shot back: "Kloppooooo. It's June. You're already in September." The exchange implied that Nagelsmann might not still be in charge by September, despite a contract running through Euro 2028, and that Klopp could be a candidate to replace him.

I think it is not the right path for me to talk about this topic. I think it is important that everyone assesses the situation for themselves. I have my opinion and my standpoint, but I will not tell you.

Nagelsmann also praised Lothar Matthäus for backing the decision to use Jamal Musiala in a central midfield role, a topic on which Klopp and Müller had initially suggested Deniz Undav as an alternative before later walking back the comment.

Curaçao's debut and Germany's opening-record pressure

Curaçao, whose squad is heavily influenced by the Netherlands, are making their first World Cup appearance. For Germany, the fixture is a chance to exorcise the demons of their last two opening matches: a 1-0 loss to Mexico in 2018 and a 2-1 defeat to Japan in 2022, both of which preceded group-stage exits. "We want to gain the security and confidence that something is possible in this tournament," Nagelsmann said. Chancellor Friedrich Merz added a video message of support: "All of Germany is keeping its fingers crossed!"