Germany’s veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has confirmed that the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 will mark the end of his international career, insisting there will be no further comeback after the tournament.
The 40-year-old Bayern Munich star had initially retired from international football following Euro 2024 but reversed his decision to return under Julian Nagelsmann after rediscovering top form at club level.
Neuer, who is featuring in his fifth consecutive World Cup, is aiming to end his illustrious career with a second World Cup title after helping Germany lift the trophy in 2014.
Speaking at a press conference, the legendary shot-stopper said his decision to step away after Euro 2024 had been the correct one at the time, citing the physical and mental demands of balancing club and international football.
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“I stepped back in 2024 with a good reason after a good home Euro. For me, it was the right decision. It felt right,” Neuer said.
“It would have been too much of a sporting burden for me to have kept playing for the national team for the last two years.”
Although he made a surprise return for the World Cup, Manuel Neuer ruled out any possibility of extending his international career beyond the tournament in North America.
“For me, it is clear that this is my last tournament. I do not plan to be there in two years’ time for the next Euro,” he said.
“In the last days, I have dealt with the fact that these are the last games for Germany. But I want to look forward to all the games and not to any goodbye shirts.”
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Neuer’s return saw Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann relinquish the starting role after being tipped to lead Germany at the World Cup during the veteran’s absence.
However, the former World Cup winner dismissed suggestions of tension within the squad and stressed that both goalkeepers have worked together for the benefit of the team.
“We work together with Oliver. We support each other and train for the team,” Neuer explained. “After coming together, we discussed things and talked about how it came about with my return.”
Neuer made his first Germany appearance in two years during his side’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Curacao in their tournament opener, as Julian Nagelsmann’s men seek to erase memories of successive group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
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