Soccer-Keeper Neuer makes Germany return, Musiala in starting lineup against Curacao


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group E - Germany v Curacao - Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, U.S. - June 14, 2026 Germany players on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

HOUSTON, Texas, June ⁠14 (Reuters) - Germany attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala earned a ⁠starting spot for Sunday's World Cup Group ‌E opener against Curacao despite still struggling for form since a broken leg last year kept him out of action for ​more than six months.

• Germany's ⁠in-form striker Deniz Undav, ⁠who was the second-top scorer in the Bundesliga this ⁠season ‌behind Harry Kane, is on the bench.

• Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the only member of ⁠Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning team in the ​squad, will ‌make his first appearance two years after his ⁠international retirement ​and less than a month since his surprise recall to the team.

• The 40-year-old is picked ahead ⁠of Oliver Baumann, who until last ​month was the designated starting keeper for the tournament.

• Curacao coach Dick Advocaat will start with experienced midfielder ⁠Tahith Chong as the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup make theirdebut.

Lineups:

Germany: Manuel Neuer, Nathaniel Brown, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich; Aleksandar ​Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, Florian Wirtz, ⁠Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala; Kai Havertz.

Curacao: Eloy Room; Sherel ​Floranus; Riechedly Bazoer, Sontje Hansen, ‌Armando Obispo, Deveron Fonville, ; Juninho ​Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia;Tahith Chong, Jurgen Locadia

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, Editing by Ken Ferris)

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