As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw nears this Friday, a delicate goalkeeper situation keeps 2014 world champion Germany busy.
While national coach Julian Nagelsmann faces a critical decision, the result of the race for three promising candidates seems to hinge entirely on Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his future plans.
Neuer, who will turn 40 next March, is delaying his decision about staying in Bayern's shirt for another year until the upcoming spring.
"I have to see how I feel in the season's second leg," Neuer said, while several pundits such as Lothar Matthaeus called for a return of the silverback.
An experienced, proven goalkeeper is essential for success in a tournament, said German record international Matthaeus.
Despite his recent announcement, he intentionally resigned after the 2024 Euro to focus on club challenges; the twelve-time German champion hasn't explicitly ruled out returning to the national team.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Germany's number one and Neuer's successor until his knee injury in September, returned to team training sessions this week in Barcelona after a long-time injury break.
While Nagelsmann promised Ter Stegen the job when he returned to a number-one role at his club, the German ruled out appointing Ter Stegen as the first keeper without regular playing time and a number-one status at the club.
Reports say that Ter Stegen's only chance is to transfer to a new club during the winter break, as Barcelona has relegated him to the third choice behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.
"It wouldn't have to be a top-top club, but a top club," Nagelsmann said. Reports mention the Turkish team, Besiktas, having made an on-loan offer to Barca for the 33-year-old.
The La Liga winter transfer window is open from January 2 to February 2.
Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann might have mixed feelings after being doubted despite a solid performance in the German shirt over the past months.
The 35-year-old recently played his 500th top-tier game, but he ranks as the runner-up in fan approval and public perception.
"I don't pay attention to all these discussions. What matters is what the coach tells me, while my ambitions stay strong," Baumann said.
While Nagelsmann emphasized that Baumann's performance had been complaint-free, it appears Neuer and Ter Stegen hold the first-choice positions.
"At present, we are really satisfied with his performance, but we will see what happens next year," the German coach said, adding there is no shortage of the best-class keeper
