The coach of the German national soccer team, Julian Nagelsmann, was fed up with the debate. A little over a month ago, in view of the umpteenth rumor about an alleged return of the historic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to the German team, Nagelsmann tried to finally put an end to the discussion. “I’m surprised that we have to talk about this topic for three hours every week,” exploded the national coach, who emphasized to anyone who wanted to listen: “Our number one is Oliver Baumann.”
The origin of the debate is far away. His first step was Neuer’s long stay in the German national team, with which he was crowned world champion in Brazil in 2014. Then there was the legacy of the patriarch, who earned 124 international caps over the course of his career before announcing his retirement from the national team. All this time it was assumed that the successor would one day be Marc-Andrè ter Stegen, FC Barcelona goalkeeper. But at the most inopportune time, a series of injuries kept the goalkeeper away from Spanish and international pitches, and possibly the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Aces up your sleeve
Nagelsmann seemed to have enough options to compensate for the two big failures. Because if Germany has enough alternatives in any position, it is on goal. In both the 2025 Nations League and the World Cup qualification, Hoffenheim’s constants were Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel, who was loaned to Stuttgart from FC Bayern Munich. Kevin Trapp, who came on as a substitute in 2023, was displaced by the Brazilian Kaua Santos at Eintracht Frankfurt and faltered. As a result, he was excluded from the German team.
The melting pot of options was reflected in the third goalkeeper. Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega, Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen and, more recently, Freiburg’s Noa Atubolu have all been around in this role. Ter Stegen made a brief comeback in the Nations League, which Germany was unable to win.
Who will be the German goalkeeper at the World Cup?
In this entire process, the one who perhaps least expected it won. After the aforementioned Nations League, ter Stegen was injured again and his future was uncertain both at FC Barcelona and in the German national team. Baumann established himself with convincing performances and is now Nagelsmann’s confidant as guard in the German locker room. His international experience is still short: 10 games.
Is ter Stegen ruled out? At the moment, yes. The prerequisite for a return would be constant practice on the pitch, where Joan García currently leaves little room for a return.
But the debate doesn’t end there. Alexander Nübel’s recent performances in the Bundesliga raise serious doubts about his current form. During FC Bayern’s cruel “hand” against Stuttgart (score: 5-0), the goalkeeper looked downright bad on at least two Bayern goals. His days as number two in goal for the German team could be numbered if the criterion of performance prevails in Nagelsmann’s appearances in 2026, including the World Cup.
It remains to be seen whether the coach will recall Finn Dahmen, who was nominated but did not play. His Bundesliga club Augsburg conceded 27 goals in 13 games. Such a fee is a bad letter of recommendation. Still, Nagelsmann would have other options like Atubolu or even Bernd Leno, who has played all 15 games in the current Premier League for Fulham (yes, conceded a lot of goals).
In any case, the best alternative for Nagelsmann is clear: that Baumann does not get injured in order to continue on the chosen course. And above all, to finally shake off the shadow of Manuel Neuer. Because at the slightest provocation the bell rings again.
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