Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen faces a stark requirement from Germany's sporting director to secure his spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rudi Voller emphasized that regular playing time is essential, regardless of Ter Stegen's club situation. This comes as the 33-year-old recovers from injury amid competition at Barcelona.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has long been a reliable figure at Barcelona, serving as the club's captain and one of Europe's most consistent goalkeepers. However, his international career with Germany has been marked by patience, often as a deputy to Manuel Neuer. With Neuer's retirement on the horizon, the path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup—hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—was expected to open for Ter Stegen.
Timing has proven challenging. A serious back injury sidelined him for months, and upon return, a new goalkeeper in strong form has pushed him out of Barcelona's starting lineup. This uncertainty coincides with the new World Cup cycle, where stakes are high for the 33-year-old.
Germany's sporting director, Rudi Voller, addressed the situation in an interview with Kicker magazine. "It doesn’t matter if he’s still in Barcelona or somewhere else; in the end, he has to play," Voller stated bluntly. He added, "And then we will all be happy for him if, after many years as a world-class goalkeeper in the shadow of Manuel Neuer, he has the opportunity to be between the posts at a World Cup."
Voller stressed that Ter Stegen remains in contention, noting ongoing communication with Germany's goalkeeper coach, Andreas Kronenberg. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has yet to finalize his goalkeeper hierarchy, leaving the door open but also introducing competition from rivals.
This condition underscores the demands of international soccer: reputation alone won't suffice without match fitness. For Ter Stegen, regular minutes are now non-negotiable to realize his World Cup dream.
