Germany World Cup squad: Full list, shirt numbers, predicted lineup, depth chart, latest news including major Manuel Neuer decision

Four-time world champions Germany will be looking to end their 12-year wait for a joint-record fifth title when they compete at the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Despite losing their opening match in UEFA qualifying, Die Mannschaft won their remaining five fixtures to finish top of their group containing Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg.

Managed by 38-year-old Julian Nagelsmann, Germany have been placed in Group E at this summer’s tournament along with Caribbean debutants Curacao, African giants Ivory Coast and South American outfit Ecuador.

Germany will begin their campaign against Curacao in Houston on June 14, before facing Ivory Coast in Toronto on June 20, and then concluding the group stage against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

GERMANY'S WORLD CUP 2026 FULL SQUAD LIST

GERMANY'S WORLD CUP 2026 SQUAD NUMBERS

 

 

 

 

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GERMANY'S WORLD CUP 2026 PREDICTED XI

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At the ripe old age of 40, Manuel Neuer has remarkably reversed his international retirement to return to the Germany national team and represent his country at a fifth World Cup tournament.

The 124-cap goalkeeper, who became a world champions in 2014, is set to be handed the No.1 jersey which will come as a disappointment for 35-year-old Oliver Baumann who was expected to start between the sticks before Neuer's international U-turn.

Despite Neuer's return, Joshua Kimmich will continue as national team captain. The Bayern star has played in midfield at club level with the Bundesliga champions, but he is a regular at right-back under Nagelsmann, while Leipzig’s David Raum and Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown are set to battle for a start at left-back.

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger has suffered with fitness issues throughout this season, so Jonathan Tah and in-demand Nico Schlotterbeck are expected to form a centre-back partnership in a four-man defence.

Although Leon Goretzka has struggled for regular game time at Bayern this term, Nagelsmann has said that the 31-year-old will have an important role to play in his team this summer, so he should link arms with highly-rated Aleksandar Pavlovic in centre-midfield.

Florian Wirtz may be forced to operate on the left flank if Jamal Musiala is given the freedom to strut his stuff as Germany’s No.10, while 18-year-old starlet Lennart Karl – with just two international caps – could rival Galatasaray’s Leroy Sane for the right-wing position.

As long as he remains injury-free, Arsenal’s Premier League title winner Kai Havertz will be the man tasked with leading the line for Germany, while Nick Woltemade, Deniz Undav, Maximilian Beier and Jamie Leweling all represent alternative centre-forward options.

Germany predicted XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz

GERMANY'S WORLD CUP 2026 SQUAD LATEST NEWS

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After being eliminated in embarrassing fashion in the group stage of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Germany are bidding to bounce back and become just the second nation after Brazil to win five World Cup trophies this summer, as well as lift their first world title since 2014.

Positive negotiations are understood to have taken place between the German Football Association and the German national team players regarding bonuses for participating at this summer’s tournament – their 21st World Cup appearance.

Despite being ranked 10th in the world by FIFA, Nagelsmann’s squad will be regarded as one of the favourites to progress to the latter stages of the tournament, though he will have to cope without at least one star name in the form of Serge Gnabry (torn adductor), who played more games for Germany across qualifying and March's friendlies (eight).

Germany will also be without highly-rated 19-year-old attacker Said El Mala, who has not been called up to the national team squad despite impressive for FC Koln this season, scoring 13 goals in 34 Bundesliga games.

Explaining his decision to omit El Mala, Nagelsmann told reporters: “Said reacted very well. He had a great second half of the season and scored well, but for counter-attacking situations, we have Maxi Beier in the squad - and he had a great season.”

Other notable names who have failed to earn a place on the plane include Stuttgart’s Chris Fuhrich, Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi, Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, Leeds United's Anton Stach and striker Niklas Fullkrug, who has spent the second half of this season on loan at AC Milan from West Ham United.

However, the return of Neuer between the sticks is undoubtedly the headline news from Nagelsmann's squad announcement. “We are planning with him as our No.1, knowing that we have a world-class No.1 B behind him," said Nagelsmann. "I think everyone knows the aura surrounding Manu and the qualities he brings to the team. That’s why he absolutely deserves to be there.”

Perhaps one surprise but justified inclusion is playmaker Nadiem Amiri who has enjoyed a stellar campaign with Mainz 05. "Nadiem is always passionate, he always wants to win," said Nagelsmann. "If he plays 10 minutes, he gives it his all for 10, if he plays 90 minutes, he gives it his all for 90.

"He'll initially have a back-up role, but he'll definitely get his minutes, I'm sure of that. He's always eager to win a game and is always at his limit. That's what we need."