Winston-Salem, 19 June (H.S.):

Veteran Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced on Thursday that he will retire from international football once again after the FIFA World Cup 2026, confirming that the tournament will be the final chapter of his international career.

The 40-year-old Neuer, who captained Germany to FIFA World Cup glory in 2014, is featuring as the nation's first-choice goalkeeper at his fifth consecutive World Cup.

Neuer had retired from international football following Germany's quarter-final exit at UEFA Euro 2024. However, after delivering outstanding performances at club level, he was recalled to the national team for the World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference, Neuer said, I stepped away from international football in 2024 for the right reasons. Playing continuously for the national team over the past two years would have been physically demanding for me. It is now certain that this will be my final tournament. I will not be playing in the next European Championship in two years' time.

He added that he has come to accept in recent days that these will be his final appearances for Germany, but insisted that his current focus remains on the team's performance rather than his farewell.

Ahead of the World Cup, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was considered Germany's first-choice option. However, Neuer reclaimed the starting role following his return and marked his first international appearance in two years by helping Germany register a commanding 7-1 victory over Curaçao.

Neuer said he shares an excellent understanding with Baumann and that both goalkeepers are working together in the best interests of the team.

Germany will next face Ivory Coast in their Group-stage fixture. A victory would secure the Germans a place in the knockout stage. Germany suffered Group-stage eliminations in each of the previous two FIFA World Cups, in 2018 and 2022.

We are not thinking about the disappointments of the past, Neuer said. Our objective is to win the next match and secure qualification for the knockout stage as early as possible.

He also described the opportunity to play in another World Cup at the age of 40 as nothing short of a gift, adding that he would not have returned if he did not believe Germany had a genuine chance of winning the tournament.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar