Germany XI vs Curacao: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for World Cup | OneFootball

Julian Nagelsmann has a clean bill of health ahead of Group E opener in Houston

Manuel Neuer is expected to be available for selection as Germany face Curacao in their 2026 World Cup opener this weekend.

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper suffered a calf injury in the final Bundesliga match of the season, forcing him to sit out both pre-tournament friendlies against Finland and the United States.

In his absence, Oliver Baumann got the nod in between the sticks ahead of Alexander Nubel and is on standby to start the Group E opener.

However, Neuer is winning his battle after returning to full training and is likely to make his return to international football having reversed his retirement decision following Euro 2024.

Manuel Neuer has not played for Germany in almost two years

Getty

With the pressure on Germany to perform better at this tournament after previous poor showings, Julian Nagelsmann will be keen for his side to get off to a flying start against a relative unknown quantity.

The good news for Nagelsmann is that he has the luxury of naming his strongest possible team with no fresh injury concerns after losing Bayern youngster Lennart Karl to a muscle tear sustained before the tournament.

Captain Joshua Kimmich is set for a right-back role despite impressing in central midfield for Bayern this season. Joining him in defence should be club team-mate Jonathan Tah, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown.

Aleksandar Pavlovic is set to be partnered by Felix Nmecha in central midfield, providing support to an interchangeable trio of Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane behind the striker, Kai Havertz.

The Arsenal forward is in decent form having scored in the Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain as well as the opener for Germany in their friendly win over USA.

Predicted Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz