National team goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, 36, has shared his emotions regarding his demotion to second choice within the DFB squad, admitting it was initially difficult to digest.
Following a 2-1 victory against the USA, the German team’s ninth consecutive win, the strong keeper expressed his satisfaction with his performance to RTL. He then addressed the situation concerning Manuel Neuer, 40, and Julian Nagelsmann’s, 38, decision to bring back the multi-time World Goalkeeper of the Year for the World Cup, placing him ahead of Baumann as the number one.
«Initially, it was tough, it wasn’t entirely cool from my perspective,» Baumann stated. However, he made it clear that giving up on the national team was not an option. «But it was clear from the beginning that I am there for the team. Not showing up was not an option, it’s a World Cup for me too. I want to help the team, make my contribution. The focus now is entirely on me and the team.»
When pressed on what he meant by «not entirely cool,» the 1899 Hoffenheim keeper replied, «I’d prefer to leave it at that and not go into further detail. The situation is what it is. We hopefully have several weeks ahead of us and want to do everything for success.»
He emphasized that his relationship with Neuer remains strong: «Our relationship is still good, and we will do everything for the team’s success.»
Nagelsmann Clarifies: Neuer Will Play Against Curaçao
Meanwhile, Nagelsmann announced that Neuer, having recovered from a calf injury, will rejoin team training and will start in goal for Germany against Curaçao to open the World Cup campaign. «He will join team training when we arrive in Winston-Salem, as planned, and then play against Curaçao,» Nagelsmann stated.
He also paid a «huge compliment» to Baumann. The former Freiburg player had covered for Neuer in the two preparation matches for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and according to Nagelsmann, he «exemplarily put himself at the team’s service.»
Nagelsmann sees no issue with Neuer facing a «cold start» against Curaçao. «He is doing well, he is on his way to peak fitness. He doesn’t need to acclimatize at his age. He can handle pressure situations.»
Germany’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup
| Position | Player | Club | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Oliver Baumann | TSG Hoffenheim | 12 |
| Goalkeeper | Manuel Neuer | FC Bayern Munich | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | Alexander Nübel | VfB Stuttgart | 21 |
| Defender | Waldemar Anton | Borussia Dortmund | 3 |
| Defender | Nathaniel Brown | Eintracht Frankfurt | 18 |
| Defender | Pascal Groß | Brighton & Hove Albion | 13 |
| Defender | Joshua Kimmich | FC Bayern Munich | 6 |
| Defender | Felix Nmecha | Borussia Dortmund | 23 |
| Defender | Aleksandar Pavlovic | FC Bayern Munich | 5 |
| Defender | David Raum | RB Leipzig | 22 |
| Defender | Antonio Rüdiger | Real Madrid | 2 |
| Defender | Nico Schlotterbeck | Borussia Dortmund | 15 |
| Defender | Angelo Stiller | VfB Stuttgart | 16 |
| Defender | Jonathan Tah | FC Bayern Munich | 4 |
| Defender | Malick Thiaw | Newcastle United | 24 |
| Forward | Nadiem Amiri | Mainz 05 | 20 |
| Forward | Maximilian Beier | Borussia Dortmund | 14 |
| Forward | Leon Goretzka | FC Bayern Munich | 8 |
| Forward | Kai Havertz | FC Arsenal | 7 |
| Forward | Assan Ouedraogo | RB Leipzig | 25 |
| Forward | Jamie Leweling | VfB Stuttgart | 9 |
| Forward | Jamal Musiala | FC Bayern Munich | 10 |
| Forward | Leroy Sane | Galatasaray Istanbul | 19 |
| Forward | Deniz Undav | VfB Stuttgart | 26 |
| Forward | Florian Wirtz | FC Liverpool | 17 |
| Forward | Nick Woltemade | Newcastle United | 11 |
Julian Nagelsmann’s Managerial Stints
| Period | Team |
|---|---|
| 2016 — 2019 | 1899 Hoffenheim |
| 2019 — 2021 | RB Leipzig |
| 2021 — 2023 | FC Bayern |
| 2023 — Present | Germany |