Is ter Stegen going to the World Cup?
Ex-DFB goalkeeper clearly: “I think it won’t work”
Feb 4, 2026 – 8:09 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Marc-André ter Stegen has been injured again. Has his World Cup dream ended? An ex-DFB keeper no longer sees a chance for him.
“It’s brutally bitter,” said Adler about ter Stegens, who was recently injured again. But: “I don’t think the World Cup will work.” The twelve-time national player emphasized that he wanted ter Stegen to develop differently because he deserved a chance after his suffering and had “always been so loyal as number 2”. However, you have to look at the facts, “how long he was out and that Oliver Baumann is doing a top job.”
Ter Stegen, currently on loan to Girona from FC Barcelona, has only been able to gain limited match practice over the past two and a half years. A back injury and a patellar tendon rupture kept the goalkeeper largely out of action. Now he is said to have suffered a muscle injury to his left thigh. Reports suggest he could be out for up to two months.
In recent months, Oliver Baumann has represented ter Stegen in the DFB goal. From Adler’s point of view, a decision by Nagelsmann against the TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper would be “not fair”. The 41-year-old explained: “He played a great qualifying game and is having a sensationally good Bundesliga season with Hoffenheim.” One should therefore “come to terms with the fact that Oliver Baumann is number 1.”
Adler refuses to reopen the debate about Manuel Neuer’s resignation. “Manuel Neuer resigned on his own initiative, that’s a discussion that doesn’t need to be had,” stated Adler and demanded respect for Baumann because of his achievements.
