Nagelsmann confirms Neuer's comeback for Germany's World Cup opener against Curaçao

Germany's national football team is set to begin their World Cup campaign against Curaçao, a match coach Julian Nagelsmann likened to a DFB-Pokal (German Cup) tie due to the clear disparity in strength. Nagelsmann confirmed that Germany's record goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, will make his international comeback in the game, marking his 125th cap and fifth World Cup appearance. Neuer has recovered from his calf issues, returning to the squad two years after his last appearance. The match, held in Houston, Texas, pits the four-time World Cup champions against Curaçao, a team largely composed of lesser-known players with Dutch connections, who are making their World Cup debut. Nagelsmann's primary objective for this opening match is to secure the "first three points" as Germany aims to advance past Group C opponents Ivory Coast and Ecuador. The coach also revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown will start at left-back, just two days before his 23rd birthday. Regarding Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, Nagelsmann acknowledged that while the player still needs to regain peak form after a severe leg injury, he must play to achieve it. "We trust him completely," Nagelsmann stated, agreeing with former captain Lothar Matthäus that Musiala is essential for Germany to have a "really good World Cup."

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and Manu will begin