Germany’s captain, Manuel Neuer, has just added another impressive achievement to his already stellar international career. At 40 years old, the talented goalkeeper has now become the most-capped goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup history, reaching his 21st appearance during Germany’s Group E match against Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Neuer, who played a crucial role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory, has now surpassed France’s Hugo Lloris, who had 20 World Cup appearances.
This record comes during what Neuer has announced “For me, it is clear that this is my last tournament. I do not plan to be there in two years time for the next Euro. In the last few days, I have dealt with the fact that these are the last games for Germany. But I want to look forward to all the games and not to any goodbye shirts.”
This milestone appearance showcases Neuer’s incredible longevity at the top level. After initially stepping back from international play following Euro 2024, he made a comeback for the 2026 World Cup, thanks to his outstanding performances with Bayern Munich. Now, as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper in his fifth consecutive World Cup, Neuer remains a vital presence for his country on the grandest stage of football.
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Germany Qualify for Round of 32 After Deniz Undav’s Last-minute Brilliance
While Neuer made history, Germany also clinched their spot in the Round of 32 with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Ivory Coast in Toronto. The four-time world champions found themselves trailing in the 30th minute when Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie found the net after a chaotic scramble in the penalty area. Germany had a tough time breaking through a solid defense and even had two goals disallowed before the halftime whistle.
But everything changed when coach Julian Nagelsmann brought on Deniz Undav in the second half. The striker equalized in the 68th minute and then scored again in stoppage time to seal the comeback. With this victory, Germany now has six points from two matches, following their impressive 7-1 triumph over Curacao in their tournament opener.
Germany has now become the third team to make it to the Round of 32, alongside co-hosts Mexico and the United States. This achievement is especially significant as it marks the end of a lengthy drought for knockout-stage football. After not advancing past the group stage in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, this qualification brings a wave of relief. With their spot secured and confidence on the rise, the team is gearing up for their final group match against Ecuador, aiming to clinch the top position in Group E.
