Will MLS star Thomas Muller be with Germany at the 2026 World Cup?

Martin Macdonald

• 10 Oct 2025 17:00 CDT
• 2 min read

News

Julian Nagelsmann has played down the prospect of Thomas Muller being with the Germany squad in some capacity for the 2026 World Cup.

Muller is a legendary figure from his time with the German national team and helped them win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He has made the third-most appearances for his country with 131 caps - behind Lothar Mathaus on 150 and Miroslav Klose with 137.

In July of 2024, he announced his retirement from international football, having scored 45 goals in those 131 appearances.

Recent rumours have suggested that he may return to the Germany contingent for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico in a coaching or assistant role to Nagelsmann. However, the Germany boss says that is unlikely as Muller is contracted with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps until the end of 2026.

"Thomas is definitely a candidate who could hold such a position," Nagelsmann told Sky Germany.

"What isn't there now can become one day in the future. He has what it takes to be a head coach.

"He still has a contract in Canada until winter 2026. The coach won't be so thrilled if Thomas says: 'Yes, I'll come two or three weeks later because I still want to be an assistant coach.'"

A return to Bayern Munich?

In the summer of 2025, Muller left Bayern Munich for a new adventure with Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.

The German giants like to keep things in-house when it comes to management roles in the boardroom as a number of former players have went upstairs as executives over the years.

Legends like Franz Beckenbauer and Uli Hoeness have been club president, while other icons such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Oliver Kahn have taken up executive roles also.

Muller seems a perfect candidate to return to Bayern in such a role - in fact, it seems almost inevitable.

But, he isn't thinking about that just yet.

When asked by T-Online’s Julian Buhl about a return, he replied: “Bayern will always be my home. But for now, I’m enjoying life in Canada and trying to play successful football here.”

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