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DON’T MISS ANY ACTION FROM THE WORLD CUP

Manuel Neuer will start for Germany in their opening match of the World Cup, as the 40-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper makes his first appearance for the national team since Euro 2024.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has made a major selection announcement ahead of the nation’s 2026 World Cup opener against Curacao, confirming that Manuel Neuer will be in goal. The veteran Bayern Munich custodian is set to feature for Die Mannschaft for the first time in two years as they begin their campaign in Houston.

Nagelsmann confirms Neuer’s starting position

Nagelsmann ended days of speculation about his goalkeeping choices by stating that Neuer will start against Curacao on Sunday. The 40-year-old Bayern legend has recovered from a calf injury that ruled him out of recent warm-up fixtures against Finland and the United States, clearing the way for him to reclaim his spot between the posts.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Houston, the 38-year-old coach shared a positive update on his squad’s fitness. “All the players are fit and Manu will start,” Nagelsmann said, confirming that Nathaniel Brown and Jamal Musiala are also expected to be in the starting lineup for the Group E opener.

A landmark comeback for Neuer

The clash at Houston Stadium represents a significant milestone for Neuer, as it marks his first appearance for Germany in 710 days. His last international outing came in the Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to Spain. Following that, he briefly stepped away from international football before being persuaded to return for one more campaign in pursuit of World Cup glory.

Despite his age, Neuer continues to be an indispensable figure for both Bayern Munich and Germany. He played a crucial role in Bayern’s Bundesliga triumph and their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season. By taking the field on Sunday, he will not only reinforce his reputation as one of football’s greatest goalkeepers but also demonstrate his ability to maintain elite performance well into his 40s.

Klopp responds to Musiala debate

While Neuer’s comeback takes centre stage, Jamal Musiala’s inclusion has also drawn attention amid recent tactical discussions. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faced scrutiny after implying that Deniz Undav might be better suited to certain roles. However, Klopp has since clarified that his comments were not meant as criticism of the young Bayern forward.

“It has been pointed out that my remarks were discussed quite a bit. I have been in leadership positions for 25 years, and what you say is important, but even more important is how it is understood by the person you are speaking to,” Klopp explained. “We want the lad to quickly rediscover his self-belief. Right now, that confidence isn’t fully there because he hasn’t played enough matches.”

Nagelsmann cautions against complacency

Germany enter the World Cup as strong favourites against Curacao, who are making their first-ever appearance in the tournament. Nevertheless, Nagelsmann warned his players not to underestimate their opponents, pointing out that debutants often play with freedom and can be unpredictable. The German coach expects a challenging tactical contest against the Caribbean side, managed by veteran coach Dick Advocaat.

“You never win a match just because you’re favourites. We’ll only win if we deliver a flawless performance,” Nagelsmann said. He added, “The main goal in the first match of a major tournament is to collect three points. Of course, we want to play entertaining football, but winning is what builds confidence.”

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