Manuel Neuer Won’t Rule Out Germany Comeback for World Cup

Manuel celebrates cup win

The 40-year-old retired after Euro 2024 but is coming off a strong season with Bayern Munich.

Bayern face Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23 after narrowly missing the Champions League final...

Manuel Neuer declined to comment on Saturday about speculation that he could make a surprise return to Germany’s World Cup squad, but he didn’t shut the door on a possible comeback.

The 2014 World Cup winner retired from international football after Euro 2024, but he’s coming off a strong season with Bayern Munich. After signing a contract extension with the club on Friday, his name has resurfaced given Germany’s lack of an obvious successor in goal.

“No, not right now. We stay in touch all year round – just like with other former coaches and officials,” the 40-year-old Neuer said following Saturday’s season-ending win over Cologne when asked whether he had been in touch with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Julian Nagelsmann will name Germany’s World Cup squad on May 21.

🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE | World Cup return decided: Julian Nagelsmann brings Manuel Neuer back as Germany’s No. 1 - DONE DEAL ✔️

Unless something extraordinary happens and provided his substitution against Köln (calf) has no serious consequences, 40 y/o Neuer will return to the Germany… pic.twitter.com/LwdsIIqvWe

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 16, 2026

Neuer and Bayern just missed out on a place in the Champions League final after losing to holders Paris Saint-Germain in the semis last week. They still have a shot at the domestic double, with a German Cup final against Stuttgart set for May 23.

Asked about a potential World Cup spot, Neuer said: “I’m totally ‌relaxed about it. We’re celebrating the championship today. I have a very important German Cup final next week.

“For me (the World Cup) is not an issue today. It is just nice to celebrate the league title and to have the match next week.”