BERLIN: Former Germany midfielder Thomas Muller has joined those saying that former teammate Manuel Neuer is capable of making a comeback for the 2026 World Cup, if needed, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

"If Manuel is fit at that point and playing in goal for Bayern Munich, then I have every confidence in him as Germany's number one at the 2026 World Cup," he told Wednesday's edition of the Sport Bild weekly.

Muller just moved to Vancouver Whitecaps from Bayern, where he played for years alongside Neuer. They were also teammates at the Germany national team, winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Neuer, 39, retired from the national team after Euro 2024 last summer.

However, his successor Marc-Andre ter Stegen is sidelined for months following back surgery.

Ter Stegen's situation at Barcelona is also not looking good, as he is likely to be only the third goalkeeper there this season. A possible transfer is unlikely until January due to the injury.

In view of this situation, there have been calls from other former greats for Neuer's return.

"The best should play. Manu showed at the Club World Cup that he hasn't lost any of his skills. He and Ter Stegen are our outstanding goalkeepers. The others are good, but that's not enough to win the World Cup title," former Germany captain Lotthar Matthuus told Kicker sports magazine.

Former Bayern and West Germany goalkeeper great Sepp Meier told t-online that it would be "the best solution if Neuer could now be persuaded to return to the national team."

He recommended that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann asks Neuer if he would be willing to help out again "in this situation."

Germany start their qualifiers for the World Cup next month against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.