One Last Dance? Manuel Neuer Reveals 2026 World Cup Will Be His Germany Farewell

Published 19 June 2026 · sports

One Last Dance? Manuel Neuer Reveals 2026 World Cup Will Be His Germany Farewell Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 05:44 IST Neuer has

One Last Dance? Manuel Neuer Reveals 2026 World Cup Will Be His Germany Farewell Published By, Last Updated: June 19, 2026, 05:44 IST Neuer has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with Germany, ending an iconic international career that includes World Cup glory in 2014. Rapid Read Germany's Manuel Neuer (AP) Manuel Neuer has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the end of his international career, bringing the curtain down on one of the most decorated journeys in German football history. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who famously helped Germany lift the World Cup in 2014, revealed on Thursday that he will return to international retirement once the tournament concludes. Neuer had originally stepped away from the national team following Germany’s quarter-final exit at Euro 2024 on home soil. His inclusion in Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad came as a surprise after a strong second half of the season with Bayern Munich.

“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 told reporters. “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." Now playing in his fifth consecutive World Cup as Germany’s starting goalkeeper, Neuer made it clear there will be no extension beyond this tournament. “For me it is clear that this is my last tournament," he said. “I do not plan to be there in two years’ time for the next Euro." The veteran stopper admitted he has already begun processing the emotions surrounding his final appearance in Germany colours. “In the last days I have dealt with the fact that these are the last games for Germany," Neuer said. “But I want to look forward to all the games and not to any goodbye shirts." Neuer returned to the national team ahead of the tournament despite Oliver Baumann initially being named Germany’s No. 1 goalkeeper.

The Bayern veteran repaid that faith by featuring in Germany’s emphatic 7-1 opening Group E win over Curaçao, his first international appearance in two years. Attention now turns to Saturday’s clash against Ivory Coast. A victory would secure Germany’s place in the knockout stages with a game to spare. An unlikely second World Cup title would make Neuer the first German player to win the tournament twice. While he remains focused on the task ahead, he admitted simply competing at another World Cup at 40 already feels special. “It is an absolute present to be here again," Neuer said. “If I did not see the chance that we could do it, I would not be sitting here." (with Reuters inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas.