Overview

• In an RTL/ntv interview published Sept. 19, Joachim Löw said Germany is not currently among the world elite and needs to "rethink."
• He called recent performances unconvincing yet maintained Julian Nagelsmann is the right coach and praised DFB sporting director Rudi Völler.
• Löw said he would welcome a Manuel Neuer return for 2026, lauding him as possibly the greatest goalkeeper ever, though Neuer retired after Euro 2024 and has ruled out a comeback.
• Nagelsmann has reaffirmed Marc-André ter Stegen as his World Cup No. 1 provided he plays regularly, with the Barcelona keeper recovering from a back procedure and currently out of the club’s starting lineup.
• With ter Stegen sidelined, Oliver Baumann started the qualifiers against Slovakia (0–2) and Northern Ireland (3–1), delivering error-free displays.