Neuer ready to play for Germany against Curaçao after calf injury

Julian Nagelsmann is able to call upon veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for Germany’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup, as Die Mannschaft open their campaign against the smallest nation in the tour...

Manuel Neuer will make his international football return on Sunday when German face Curaçao in their first 2026 World Cup fixture. In his last press conference for the game, Julian Nagelsmann confirm...

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will start in the team's opening World Cup match against Curaçao on Sunday, marking the 125th international appearance for the veteran shot-stopper. Speaking 17 hours before kick-off in Houston, Nagelsmann said the match against World Cup debutants Curaçao could be compared to a "German Cup game" and a "David versus Goliath" scenario.

At a news conference the evening before Germany's first 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Curaçao, manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was healthy enough to play after a recent calf injury.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has fully recovered from a calf injury he sustained last month and is ready to go for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao on Sunday. The 40-year-old enters the World Cup having not played for Germany in almost two years after coach Julian Nagelsmann lured him out of international retirement. There were questions about his health after he injured his left calf during Bayern’s last Bundesliga game of the season in late May and missed the German Cup final against Stuttgart for what was called “muscular problems in his left calf.”