Rudi Voller says goalkeeper deserves to play but must be featuring regularly for his club
Marc-Andre ter Stegen must be playing regularly if he wants to retain his place as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the 2026 World Cup, according to Germany’s sporting director Rudi Voller.
The Barcelona captain is recovering from back surgery and is not expected to return until late in the year. Even when he does return, Barcelona have made it clear summer signing Joan Garcia is their first choice, while Wojciech Szczesny is second choice.
Garcia has also impressed since he arrived at the club and would be difficult to displace.
That situation has raised questions about the 33-year-old’s future, with reports in Spain suggesting a loan move could be considered.
Ter Stegen fell out with Barcelona during the summer over the issue of a transfer, with the club considering him surplus to requirements but the goalkeeper refusing to leave.
“A goalkeeper like Marc-Andre ter Stegen deserves to play in a World Cup, although Oliver Baumann is doing very, very well replacing him at the moment,” said Voller.
“We obviously hope that Marc-Andre will come back. But whether at Barcelona or any other club – this is also important to say, and he knows that in his communication with Julian – to make it back, he obviously has to play.
“If he does, then he has a great chance and will probably be our goalkeeper at the World Cup.”
