The DFB has surprised everyone with its choice of shirt number for the World Cup squad

Germany Press Conference And Training Session

As expected, returning shot-stopper Manuel Neuer will wear the iconic number 1 shirt at the upcoming World Cup. His deputy, Oliver Baumann, has been allocated the number 12, while young star Lennart Karl will sport the number 25. However, it is the shirt number of a winger that is generating the most debate.

Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart will wear the prestigious No. 9 shirt during the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The number is usually reserved for centre-forwards and was last worn by Nicklas Füllkrug, who has not been included in the World Cup squad.

Primarily a winger for VfB Stuttgart, where he wears number 18, Leweling will now don the iconic 9 for the tournament.

The squad's designated strikers, Deniz Undav of VfB Stuttgart and Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United, have been assigned the numbers 26 and 11 respectively.

Beyond that, the DFB and head coach Julian Nagelsmann have stuck to familiar conventions, avoiding any major surprises in the rest of the allocation.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, set for his DFB return at the USA-Mexico-Canada tournament, is confirmed as first-choice by national coach Julian Nagelsmann and will wear the number 1. Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann, stepping up to second choice, takes the number 12.

DFB squad shirt numbers have been assigned: captain Joshua Kimmich wears No. 6, while Lennart Karl also receives No. 6.

Otherwise, the German players will mostly wear the same numbers they had during their World Cup qualifying campaign. Youngster Lennart Karl has been assigned the number 25, while captain Joshua Kimmich keeps his familiar number 6. Third-choice goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, who remains with Stuttgart, has been given the number 21.

2026 World Cup, German squad: The national team kicks off its preparations on Wednesday.

The DFB squad begins its World Cup preparations in Herzogenaurach on Wednesday. Neuer missed Bayern Munich's DFB-Pokal final at the weekend after sustaining an injury in the last Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Köln. The goalkeeper has already been sidelined three times this season due to a torn calf muscle.

"Everyone knows the aura Manu has, the qualities he possesses, and what he brings to a team. He will help the team," Nagelsmann said when announcing his 26-man squad last week. The 2014 World Cup winner retired from international duty after Euro 2024, but in North America he is poised to contest his fifth World Cup since 2010.