Although TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was Germany's No.1 throughout the World Cup qualifying campaign, he will not start at the tournament itself.
Instead, 40-year-old Bayern legend Manuel Neuer has been named first-choice goalkeeper after coming out of international retirement, and is set to return from a calf injury in time for Germany's opener against Curaçao next Sunday.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Neuer's imminent return after Baumann stepped in for the 40-year-old in Saturday's 2-1 friendly win over the United States.
After the match, Baumann was asked how he felt when he learned he would be replaced by Neuer for the World Cup – and he didn't hide that it came as a blow.
"It was tough at first. It wasn't exactly cool," Baumann told RTL after Saturday's win.
However, Baumann didn't dwell on it, choosing instead to put the team ahead of himself.
"It was immediately clear to me that I would put myself at the service of the team. This is a World Cup – I want to help the team and make my contribution. Everything else is secondary," he said.
Meanwhile, Nagelsmann singled Baumann out for praise in a post-match interview.
"I want to give Oliver Baumann a huge compliment. He is a super, super guy. Over the past days and weeks, he has fully put himself at the service of the team," Nagelsmann said.
