Neuer, 40, recalled by Germany to be first-choice keeper

Neuer helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup [Getty Images] Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has come out of international retirement to be named in Germany's squad for the 2026 World Cup, with manager Julian Nagelsmann saying the 40-year-old will be his team's number one for the tournament. Neuer, who has helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title and reach the Champions League semi-finals this season, won the last of his 124 caps for his country in a Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat by Spain. He later announced he was ending his international career, which included helping Germany win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"Everyone knows the aura and quality Manu has, what he brings to a team," said Nagelsmann. "We're planning with him as our number one. " Neuer has played in four World Cups and is the latest of a number of players aged 40 or over to be selected for this summer's tournament, which will take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, 40, Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, and Bosnia-Herzegovina's Edin Dzeko, 40, have also been named in the squads of their countries. Bosnia's Dzeko to join list of World Cup 40-year-olds Who are the oldest players to feature at a World Cup? Nagelsmann has included five Premier League players in his 26-man squad, with Arsenal's Kai Havertz, Brighton's Pascal Gross and Liverpool's Florian Wirtz included along with Newcastle United duo Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade.

Bayern youngster Lennart Karl, 18, and Galatasaray winger Leroy Sane have also made the cut. Germany, who have won the World Cup four times, open their campaign against Curacao on 14 June before playing the Ivory Coast and Ecuador in their other Group E games. Since winning the 2014 tournament, Germany have bowed out at the group stage of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.