Germany Unveils Starting Lineup with Neuer's Return Ahead of World Cup Opener Against Curaçao

Germany's national football team is set to kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Curaçao on June 14 in Houston, Texas, with a starting lineup highlighting the return of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. After a 709-day absence due to a calf injury, Neuer, now 40 years old and the oldest player in German national team history, will guard the goal in his 125th international appearance, breaking Lothar Matthäus's record. The match, scheduled to begin at 19:00 CEST, carries great significance as Germany aims to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 2014.

Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann announced the starting eleven at a press conference, confirming Neuer's place despite debates over his fitness and risk. The defensive unit includes captain Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Nathaniel Brown, who secured the left-back position over David Raum. Midfield responsibilities fall to Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha, replacing Leon Goretzka, while the attacking trio comprises Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz, positioned behind striker Kai Havertz.

Though Germany is favored, Nagelsmann warned against underestimating Curaçao, coached by veteran Dick Advocaat, who are making their World Cup debut. Germany's approach is marked by humility, focusing on a strong start rather than boasting about a big win, as emphasized by DFB managing director Andreas Rettig. The team is determined to claim the World Cup title despite not being the pre-tournament favorites, with players like Deniz Undav underscoring that merely reaching the Round of 16 would be a failure.

Post-match, the team will relocate to Winston-Salem for preparations ahead of their next group match against Ivory Coast on June 20. The game will be broadcast live on ARD, MagentaTV, and covered via live ticker on ntv.de and BR24Sport, while experts also caution fans about the health impact of late-night games.