Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s aspirations of being Germany’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken a significant hit following news of his impending back surgery.
The Barcelona shot-stopper faces months on the sidelines, jeopardizing his position under Julian Nagelsmann.
With Ter Stegen out, Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann has emerged as a frontrunner for the No.1 spot.
Adding to the drama, there are serious discussions within the national team setup about a potential, surprising return for veteran Manuel Neuer, who had previously retired from international duty.
Ter Stegen, who has already lost his starting role at Barcelona, now faces an uphill battle to reclaim his place, making the competition for Germany’s coveted goalkeeper jersey intensely competitive as the World Cup approaches.
