Nagelsmann Believes Neuer Will Be in Top Form at 2026 World Cup

Germany's national team will not underestimate their first opponent at the 2026 World Cup, Curaçao, insisted head coach Julian Nagelsmann, adding that the success of the DFB-Team in the tournament will heavily depend on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The 40-year-old shot-stopper missed the two preparatory matches against Finland and the USA, but according to the coach, he is ready to stand between the posts for the opening match against the Caribbean nation.

"We have a lot of confidence in him. To have a good World Cup, we will need Manuel in top form, and I think he can do that. He hadn't found his rhythm, but now he has," said the German specialist during his press conference. The Germans will try to restore their tarnished reputation on the biggest stage, having been eliminated in the group stage in the previous two editions of the tournament. "When we look at the last two World Cups, we didn't perform well, so we won't be mentioned as favorites this time. Our job is to play a perfect World Cup now, and then we will be favorites for the next one," the coach stated.

The match against Curaçao will feature a battle between the tournament's youngest coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who is 38, facing off against the oldest, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat. However, the German joked that he hopes not to be in the profession for so long. "I love my job, but I hope to be doing different things at that age. Dick Advocaat is a very good coach and is doing brilliantly for Curaçao. That's a great compliment to his work," he said. Nagelsmann also added that left-back Nathaniel Brown will make his World Cup debut in the opening Group E match tonight.

The DFB-Team's other opponents are Ecuador and Ivory Coast, against whom they will play on June 20 and June 25, respectively.