Manuel Neuer called time on his international career back in August 2024, but whispers from Germany are growing louder that the legendary Bayern Munich goalkeeper might just pull on the national team jersey once more for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to German outlet Kicker, despite the 40-year-old repeatedly confirming his retirement from international duty, there's been plenty of behind-the-scenes chatter about whether head coach Julian Nagelsmann is having second thoughts over who should guard Germany's goal. Right now, that spot belongs to Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann, but the conversation is far from settled.

Things got even more interesting on Monday when the German Football Association (DFB) had to submit a preliminary 55-player squad list to FIFA, with a requirement that five of those names must be goalkeepers. While the DFB isn't obliged to make the list public, Kicker reports that it's safe to assume Neuer's name is on there alongside Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen, and Jonas Urbig.

The big question now is whether Neuer will make the final cut when Germany announces its official World Cup squad on June 2. For fans of the game—and of classic goalkeeping gear—this is a storyline worth watching closely. Whether you're backing the veteran or the new guard, one thing's for sure: the race for Germany's No. 1 jersey is far from over.