Overview

• Oliver Baumann has recovered from recent nausea, returned to full training, and is available to start in Sinsheim on Friday and in Belfast on Monday.
• He downplayed talk of a Manuel Neuer comeback, calling it an external discussion and praising Neuer’s enduring level without feeling unsettled by the debate.
• Julian Nagelsmann has reaffirmed the goalkeeper hierarchy, indicating Marc-André ter Stegen is expected to resume the starting role for the World Cup when fit.
• Nagelsmann’s roster choices are drawing criticism as injuries bite, with late call-up Kevin Schade, debutant Nathaniel Brown, and recalls such as Ridle Baku contrasted with omissions like Maximilian Mittelstädt and Nnamdi Collins.
• Germany sits third in Group A after a loss to Slovakia and a win over Northern Ireland, increasing the pressure to collect points in the upcoming qualifiers.