The question of who will be Germany’s number one goalkeeper for the upcoming World Cup remains unresolved just weeks before the tournament. Former international Stefan Effenberg has offered a piece of advice to Oliver Baumann amidst this uncertainty.
The debate over Germany’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada is currently the most discussed topic in German football. Former international player Stefan Effenberg believes that Oliver Baumann should take the initiative in the apparent duel with Manuel Neuer.
«I go into the preparation and then into the World Cup with great confidence. He has expressed his trust in me. Period,» stated the TSG Hoffenheim keeper after the 0-4 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon, speaking to Sky.
Just a few hours later, national team coach Julian Nagelsmann avoided making a clear commitment, stating in the ZDF-Sportstudio: «I stand by my initial thesis that I seek a conversation with the players first. The player is always contacted first; that has not yet happened.»
Prior to this, Sky had reported that Neuer would make a comeback for the DFB squad after his retirement following Euro 2024. This was reportedly agreed upon by Neuer, Nagelsmann, and DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler.
«There will be a Day X when the nominations take place. If I start preempting and announcing things simply because I feel pressured and Germany is discussing certain topics, then I am not evaluating everything I see,» said Nagelsmann, emphasizing that «every player has the right to receive information from me. I am far from letting myself be driven.» The national coach further stressed that he has been «very good with communication with the players up to this day.»
Oliver Kahn Expects Baumann as Number One
Therefore, uncertainty persists regarding the German national team’s goalkeeper situation – a situation that both former national keeper Oliver Kahn and Effenberg consider problematic in the Sport1-Doppelpass. «If I were in Oliver Baumann’s shoes, I would pick up the phone now and call Julian Nagelsmann myself,» explained Effenberg, who would then «also express himself accordingly in public.»
Following Neuer’s recent strong performances and his contract extension with FC Bayern until 2027, the goalkeeper would reportedly be «available again,» according to journalist Tobias Holtkamp – a scenario that was not so clear until recently and now puts Nagelsmann in a predicament.
«Where would we be going with that?» Kahn retorted. «Ultimately, it’s the national coach who makes the decisions, not the player. And he said we’re going into the World Cup with Oliver Baumann as number one – that’s how I understood it, at least.»
Therefore, the former goalkeeper clearly advocates for Baumann: «He hasn’t done anything wrong. He would deserve to be number one,» said Kahn.
Nagelsmann to Announce Squad on Thursday
Nagelsmann will announce his 26-man squad on Thursday at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt/Main. Until then, he will conduct «62 phone calls.» He may also wait for the results of Neuer’s MRI scan. The Munich-based player had to be substituted in the second half of the 5-1 victory against 1. FC Köln due to calf problems.
Neuer had retired from the DFB squad after the quarter-final exit against Spain, having played 124 international matches. He would be playing in his fifth World Cup at the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada (June 11 to July 19). While Neuer won the World Cup with Germany in Brazil in 2014, the FC Bayern goalkeeper also experienced two huge disappointments in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, with Germany exiting in the group stage on both occasions.