The German Football Association (DFB) has revealed the squad numbers for the national team at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, to be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. While veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will reclaim his iconic No. 1 jersey, a surprising choice for the No. 9 shirt has generated significant discussion.
Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart will proudly wear the prestigious No. 9 for the tournament. This number is traditionally associated with central strikers, and was most recently worn by Nicklas Füllkrug, who is not part of the current World Cup squad. Leweling, who is comfortable playing on either wing, currently wears the No. 18 for VfB Stuttgart.
The designated strikers in the squad, Deniz Undav from VfB Stuttgart and Nick Woltemade from Newcastle United, have been assigned numbers 26 and 11 respectively. For the most part, the DFB and national coach Julian Nagelsmann have opted for continuity in the number allocations, with players largely retaining the numbers they have worn on the path to the World Cup.
Manuel Neuer, who marks his return to the DFB squad for the tournament in North America, is confirmed as the first-choice goalkeeper under Nagelsmann and will wear the No. 1. His understudy, Oliver Baumann of Hoffenheim, will wear the No. 12.
Young talent Lennart Karl has been given the No. 25, while captain Joshua Kimmich will continue to wear his customary No. 6. The third goalkeeper in the squad, Alexander Nübel, who is still with Stuttgart, will don the No. 21.
The German national team is set to commence their World Cup preparations on Wednesday in Herzogenaurach. Neuer missed the DFB-Pokal final over the weekend with Bayern Munich due to an injury sustained in the final Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Köln. He had previously been sidelined three times this season with a muscle tear in his calf.
«Everyone knows the aura Manu has, the qualities he possesses, and what he brings to a team. He will help the squad,» Nagelsmann stated last week when announcing his 26-man roster. The 2014 World Cup winner had previously retired from the DFB team after the 2024 European Championship. In North America, Neuer is poised to make his fifth World Cup appearance since 2010.