Overview
- German outlets on Tuesday reported that Julian Nagelsmann plans to start Manuel Neuer at the 2026 World Cup, with Oliver Baumann told he will back up.
- Fan sentiment cuts the other way, as a SPIEGEL poll shows 88% would take Baumann and only 47% would include Neuer, while a Kicker vote found 64% opposed to selecting Neuer.
- Lothar Matthäus backed Neuer on sporting grounds but blasted the DFB’s handling of the switch, saying Baumann and fans were kept in the dark and that Nagelsmann’s ZDF appearance offered little clarity.
- Süddeutsche Zeitung reported Nagelsmann may take four goalkeepers — Neuer, Baumann, Alexander Nübel and Jonas Urbig — with the 26-man squad due for official release on Thursday at 13:00 in Frankfurt.
- In Los Angeles, Unite Here Local 11 reiterated strike threats over possible ICE deployments at SoFi Stadium after a Monday protest, filed an NLRB complaint about data sharing and safety, and warned that up to 2,000 arena staff could walk off during eight local matches.