The German Football Association (DFB) is revealing the 26-man squad one player at a time throughout Thursday via emotional announcement videos on Instagram. The official announcement was delayed from May 12 to allow Nagelsmann to assess players during the final Bundesliga matchday.

Major Leaks & Talking Points

According to leaks from the last 48 hours, here are the biggest headlines:
 

Manuel Neuer Returns from Retirement!

The biggest shock: Manuel Neuer is reportedly coming out of international retirement to become Germany's No.1 at the World Cup, ahead of Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann. This would be a stunning U-turn after his retirement following Euro 2024.

 Goalkeepers (4)

  • Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) — Returning as No.1
  • Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim)
  • Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart)
  • Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich) — Will travel but not part of the 26-man squad (training only)
❌ Missing out: Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Noah Atubolu (Freiburg)

 Defenders (7)

  • Waldemar Anton (Dortmund)
  • Nathaniel Brown (Frankfurt)
  • Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
  • David Raum (Leipzig)
  • Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
  • Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund)
  • Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
❌ Missing out: Chris Führich, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Josha Vagnoman (all Stuttgart), Yann Bisseck (Inter Milan), Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen)

 Midfielders/Attackers (12)

  • Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund) — Replaces injured Serge Gnabry
  • Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
  • Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
  • Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich) — Surprise inclusion, informed by Nagelsmann
  • Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)
  • Felix Nmecha (Dortmund)
  • Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich)
  • Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
  • Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
  • Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
  • Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)

 Biggest Surprises

  • Said El Mala (1. FC Köln, 19 years old): Called up despite zero senior caps! Scored 13 goals with 5 assists in 34 Bundesliga games. Nagelsmann personally informed him of his inclusion.
     
  • Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich): Another young surprise call-up
  • Niclas Füllkrug (Milan): Set to miss out in favour of Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Mönchengladbach), who has played just 6 minutes of league football this season