Overview
- Nagelsmann announced the 26-player men's World Cup squad on May 21, recalling goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, including winger Leroy Sané and omitting teenager Said El Mala from the tournament roster.
- Neuer's return is presented as a leadership and experience decision but has drawn public criticism of Nagelsmann's timing and communication, notably from Bayern figure Uli Hoeneß.
- The coach has added Jonas Urbig as a fourth goalkeeper in the training group who is not on the official FIFA list, and the team will train in Herzogenaurach before a home friendly against Finland in Mainz on May 31 and a June 6 warm-up in Chicago.
- The DFB women's 24-player squad for the June qualifiers was confirmed with captain Giulia Gwinn sidelined for shoulder surgery, keeper Ann‑Katrin Berger included despite abdominal pain and Laura Freigang named only on standby.
- These choices raise short-term risks for Germany: they compress time to build team cohesion before the World Cup, slow the integration of younger players into key roles and put added emphasis on securing direct women's qualification in Cologne in early June.