Bayern Munich’s young goalkeeper is being patient and grateful.
Aug 20, 2026, 8:30 AM UTC
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Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Full Coverage
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Jack LaushwaySince the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Jack has been a passionate diehard fan of both Die Mannschaft and Bayern Munich ever since. After being a longtime reader of BFW, he became a contributor on the site officially in 2020. After moving to Germany, Jack experienced the sport from many different perspectives and communities, only deepening his love for the sport. While Germany and Bayern matches have remained at the core of his coverage, these experiences have given him a unique angle to his conversations. The Canadian-born writer has travelled to Austria, Spain, Germany, and Bermuda to cover football stories with his unique perspective. Jack is also a running-host on Bavarian Podcast Works.
Jonas Urbig is a name that is quickly becoming a hot topic in German football. Hailed as the next replacement for Manuel Neuer (after Alexander Nübel ultimately fell short), Urbig has had some memorable performances over the last year, and impressed enough for Julian Nagelsmann to send him overseas to join Die Mannschaft as part of the practice squad for the World Cup.
“We were all knocked out together; I was part of the group. Even so, it was an incredible experience for me; I got a taste of tournament life and learnt a lot,” said a bittersweet Urbig looking back on the World Cup this summer, as captured by @iMiaSanMia.
A very mature response from the 21-year-old goalkeeper. It was a massive kudos to the former FC Köln talent that he was brought to come and join the squad in North America, even if it wasn’t in the capacity that he would have wanted.
While he is doing all the right things by being grateful for his opportunities, many will be quick to point out that Manuel Neuer should be handing off additional responsibility to Urbig over time, but Neuer’s recent statements have contradicted this. Did Neuer hold back Germany at the World Cup? Did Neuer hold back Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season?
While it is impossible to know how the tournaments would have concluded if Urbig were given the full opportunity, but it seems like he will be getting the keys to himself in the distant future. For some, that couldn’t come quick enough as Neuer’s brilliance hasn’t always shown up in the big moments, with some memorable mistakes costing Bayern Munich a tournament exit on multiple occasions.
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