National soccer team: Nagelsmann: Fitter ter Stegen at World Cup number one

Julian Nagelsmann confirmed the status of Marc-André Ter Stegen, who had been injured on the knee since September, as number one and World Cup goalkeeper for 2026. “If he is fit and healthy and 100 percent powerful, then he will be number one,” said the national coach about the goalkeeper of FC Barcelona.

Nagelsmann did not want to submit a forecast when the 32-year-old will be able to play for the national soccer team again for the Nations League quarter-final against Italy. “He is making good progress. Nevertheless, it was a serious injury he has. And first we have to see what development is, of course in the short -term and also in the long -term nature towards a World Cup,” said the national coach.

Against Italy, Oliver Baumann from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will be in German goal on Sunday (8:45 p.m./RTL) on Thursday. The 34-year-old had been appointed number one by Nagelsmann for two games and had preserved Alexander Nübel in front of Stuttgart.

Before the next international matches in June, when the Nations League final Four takes place for the DFB team or the World Cup qualification begins, the goalkeeper situation will be re-evaluated. If Ter Stegen does not reach the necessary level again, “the fight is open for all goalkeepers for number one,” said Nagelsmann.

Nevertheless, over the years, Ter Stegen would have deserved “the chance of having the chance of a big tournament,” said Nagelsmann. The former Mönchengladbacher was in the shadow of Manuel Neuer for a long time.

Long in the shadow of new

A year ago, the national coach had appointed the previously long injured Munich and not his deputy Ter Stegen as his EM goalkeeper. After Neuer’s resignation from the DFB team, this was then declared number one, a little later the serious injury followed.