Berlin, June 10: Germany’s football team has received a significant boost ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has returned to full training after recovering from an injury. Germany is set to play its first match against Curacao on June 14 in Houston, and Neuer is expected to take the field.
During a public training session held at Germany’s base camp in North Carolina, approximately 3,000 fans warmly welcomed Neuer back. The excitement was palpable as fans watched him train fully for the first time in a long while.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has indicated that Neuer is ready to play in the opening group match. He noted that a player of Neuer’s experience is accustomed to handling the pressure of big matches and does not require extensive preparation time.
Recently, Neuer had been sidelined due to a calf injury, leading to various speculations about his return. However, his fitness has improved, and he is now participating in regular training with the team.
Following Neuer’s announcement of retirement from the national team two years ago, Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann was appointed as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper. With Neuer’s return, Baumann has now taken on the role of backup. He admitted that accepting this decision was initially challenging but expressed his full support for the team.
Nagelsmann believes that a week of regular training will be sufficient for Neuer to be match-ready. Both Neuer and Baumann have emphasized their focus on the team’s performance and achieving positive results in the World Cup.
According to Nagelsmann, Neuer is prepared to play in his 125th international match without needing additional match practice. Meanwhile, Baumann had been in goal during Germany’s recent practice match, where the team secured a 2-1 victory against the USA.
The coach praised Baumann’s professionalism, stating that every player is vital to the team, and the collective goal is to bring success to Germany. As Nagelsmann prepares for competitive action, all eyes will be on the team as they face the underdog Curacao next Sunday.
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