Vietnam’s World Cup qualification drama continues as it was announced on Monday that Manuel Neuer will return as Germany’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This news was first reported by the German newspaper Bild and later confirmed by the dpa agency.

Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s head coach, has informed Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann that he will serve as Neuer’s backup. The 40-year-old Neuer, who won the World Cup in 2014, will start in the opening lineup. Nagelsmann is set to announce the final 26-man roster on Thursday, and Neuer’s return to the national team is expected to be the biggest surprise.

Neuer, Bayern Munich’s captain, had retired after Euro 2024, with Marc-André Ter Stegen, formerly of Barcelona, set to take over. However, several long-term injuries have forced Nagelsmann to reconsider his options, resulting in the decision to go with Baumann, who was the first-choice goalkeeper during the World Cup qualifiers.

Both Neuer and Nagelsmann have not yet commented on the situation. Neuer sustained a minor hamstring injury in the last Bundesliga match against Cologne, but Bild reported that it is not severe and that the experienced goalkeeper is likely to be available for the German Cup final against Stuttgart on Saturday.

Ni Neuer ni Nagelsmann nisu do sada dali bilo kakvu izjavu koja bi nagovijestila ovakav rasplet događaja. Neuer je u posljednjem kolu Bundeslige protiv Koelna zadobio ozljedu mišića potkoljenice, ali Bild je izjavio da ona nije ozbiljnije prirode te da će iskusni vratar vjerojatno biti dostupan za finale Njemačkog kupa protiv Stuttgarta u subotu.