Manuel Neuer Sits Out Germany vs Finland Friendly

Manuel Neuer will not play for Germany against Finland tonight, May 31, 2026, due to a minor calf injury.

What happened?

The injury occurred during the final Bundesliga match of the season.

Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann decided to rest Neuer as a precaution, ensuring he has enough time to recover before the World Cup.

Manuel Neuer's absence gives Oliver Baumann the chance to start in goal against Finland.

Germany will face the USA in a friendly next week, and Neuer is expected to return for the 2026 World Cup, which starts on June 14.

The match against Finland is Germany's last home game before the tournament, and they will look to fine-tune their preparations.

On June 14, Germany will play Curaçao in their opening World Cup match.

Finland missed out on World Cup qualification, finishing behind the Netherlands and Poland in their UEFA group.

Germany topped their qualification group and will head into the tournament in Group E alongside Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ecuador.

Manuel Neuer's recovery is a priority for Germany, with the World Cup just two weeks away.

The decision to rest Neuer is driven by caution, and Baumann's start against Finland is a straightforward change.

Germany's focus is on getting players through safely and keeping things ticking over before the World Cup.