Germany start World Cup preparation without Neuer and Havertz

Only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and forward Kai Havertz were absent from Germany’s first team training to start the preparations for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

All other 24 players were available to coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Neuer, who’s making his comeback to the national team after retiring in 2024, is nursing a minor calf injury. Arsenal forward Havertz, meanwhile, will join the team on Tuesday, when they travel to the US.

Havertz be a late addition because Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Germany face Finland in a World Cup tune-up match on Sunday.

Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, who had been set to be Germany’s number one at the World Cup before Neuer’s dramatic return, will stand between the posts.

Neuer, however, is set to be fit and start the World Cup opener against Curaçao on June 14. Germany also face Ivory Coast (June 20) and Ecuador (June 25) in Group E.

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