Used in test games
DFB decision made about Neuer
Updated June 5, 2026 – 7:19 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Until recently it was unclear whether the German number one would be used in the game against the USA. Now there is certainty.
Oliver Baumann was the first to step onto the Soldier Field lawn under the gray clouds – followed by Alexander Nübel and Jonas Urbig. Manuel Neuer, however, was missing from the national soccer team’s final training for the World Cup dress rehearsal against the USA. The record goalkeeper’s comeback is still a long time coming. Baumann will again be in goal against the co-host of the XXL tournament because of Neuer’s calf injury.
In the video | This is the woman next to Manuel Neuer
Player is loading
Neuer was also in Soldier Field, but according to dpa information, he should only continue his personal stress build-up later. The training session was only visible to the media for 15 minutes. What’s more: In the best case scenario, Neuer will be able to play against Curaçao at the start of the World Cup on June 14th in Houston, four weeks after his last appearance for FC Bayern. National coach Julian Nagelsmann’s plan was actually different. But now the 38-year-old has no other choice.
Embed
Nevertheless: The dress rehearsal against the proud hosts USA will be the ultimate test of emotions for the national coach. In the packed Soldier Field on Saturday (from 8:30 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) the national coach wants to simulate a tournament emergency and is even putting the football-specific fine-tuning on hold.
The mystery of Neuer’s health and fitness dominated his first days in America. Beautiful pictures were provided by the DFB stars. From walking in the sun on Lake Michigan. Or strolling together to the café in the chic Gold Coast district. It all looked pretty relaxed. But it’s not enough for 90 minutes at competition level. Nagelsmann’s maxim continues to be risk minimization. The World Cup counts, not the last test.