Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been told that in order to guarantee a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, he must be the number one at club level. It cranks up the pressure on the 33-year-old, who had surgery on his back on Tuesday.
Ter Stegen has been forced to undergo an operation on his back, coming at a difficult time for him, as he watches Barcelona try to oust him as number one, following the signing of Joan Garcia. Hansi Flick has told ter Stegen he will be their third-choice goalkeeper, but he had vowed to fight on for his spot, with three years left on his deal.
Germany position puts ter Stegen under pressure
Meanwhile one of Barcelona’s bargaining chips with which to persuade ter Stegen to leave was to bench him, with the 33-year-old desperate to play the 2026 World Cup with Germany, having sat behind Manuel Neuer for many years. Yet in Germany, BILD report that Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer could return to international duty to play in the USA if he is asked, as doubts grow about ter Stegen.
His injury complicates his route to the number one spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is also a candidate to compete for the number one spot next summer, and he will be given a chance in Germany’s remaining fixtures in 2025.
Nagelsmann sets ter Stegen condition
However speaking to the German press, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann stated that in order for ter Stegen to retain his number one spot, he must be playing regularly at Barcelona.
“He is our number one if he is healthy and he is number one at his club. In my thoughts, I know that Marc will return in December, he will play both matches in March, in June too, and then he will compete in the World Cup,” he told Sky DE, as quoted by MD. ”
“The rhythm of games and training is very important, and he knows it. If he’s his club’s starting goalkeeper again, he can certainly be our starting goalkeeper, because he deserves it, but he must meet the necessary conditions like any other player.”
Neuer story denied by Nagelsmann
“We have many good ideas and solutions,” he responded when asked if that scenario did not play out. From ter Stegen’s point of view, one positive was that a return for Neuer was ruled out, with Nagelsmann stating that ‘this possibility does not exist’.
Barcelona are set to announce a €44m sponsorship deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming hours. The agreement will generate Fair Play margin and help in registering new signings. Barça will receive €10–11.5m per year over four years, with the DRC logo to appear…
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 30, 2025
Germany position could change Barcelona equation
Ter Stegen has thus far been adamant that he will not leave Barcelona, who are keen on an exit, and willing to reach an agreement to terminate his deal. However ter Stegen may well be more willing to consider a permanent or loan exit, be it now or in January, if he knows he will not play at Barcelona, thus jeopardising his international future. The Catalan giants will certainly feel that benching ter Stegen will have more of an impact given Nagelsmann’s stance.
