Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss the national team’s first World Cup warm-up match against Finland on Sunday due to a minor calf injury, head coach Julian Nagelsmann announced Wednesday. Neuer, who was coaxed out of international retirement ahead of the tournament set to take place in North America from June 11 to July 19, sustained the injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the final Bundesliga match of the season. He also missed Bayern’s German Cup final victory over VfB Stuttgart last Saturday as a precaution.

Nagelsmann confirmed the decision not to play Neuer in the friendly during a press conference at the team’s training base in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria. “We decided with the coaching team that he will not play on Sunday,” the coach said, emphasizing the choice was made out of an abundance of caution. He lauded Neuer’s experience and value to the squad, noting, “With Manu we are better than without Manu. We are very glad that he is with us.”

In Neuer’s absence, Oliver Baumann, who was initially expected to be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup before Neuer’s return, will start the match against Finland in Mainz. Nagelsmann expressed confidence in Baumann’s capabilities, stating, “Olli will play. He will do it well, he will play a good match.”

Aside from Neuer’s injury, all 26 players called up for the training camp reported for duty on Wednesday. They were joined by reserve goalkeeper Jonas Urbig and greeted by a small group of fans. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz remains absent as he continues preparations with his club for the Champions League final on Saturday in Budapest against Paris Saint-Germain. Havertz is scheduled to travel directly to Chicago on Tuesday to join the team’s US training camp.

Germany’s first official training session is set for Thursday as the squad aims to build cohesion ahead of the World Cup, which will feature an expanded format and matches across multiple North American cities. The team plans to host Finland near Nuremberg before traveling to Chicago for a final pre-tournament friendly against the United States on June 6.

Germany opens its Group E campaign against debutants Curaçao on June 14 in Houston, followed by matches against Ivory Coast on June 20 in Toronto and Ecuador on June 25 in East Rutherford.

Germany’s sporting director and 1990 World Cup winner Rudi Völler emphasized the importance of maintaining team unity and focus during the tournament. He underscored that the squad intends to avoid political demonstrations or controversies that have surrounded previous World Cups. Reflecting on Germany’s experience at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where players protested in response to host country policies and subsequently faced criticism after an early exit, Völler said, “It would be wise to keep politics and football somewhat separate.”

Nonetheless, Völler acknowledged the team’s awareness of global issues. “There are many things in the world that none of us like. I, too, would prefer to see more peace everywhere,” he said. “But football can’t solve that. We’re here to play in the World Cup. That comes first.”