Ter Stegen's World Cup in jeopardy after another injury
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 03.02.26. | 11:51
The German keeper got injured in Girona and will race with time to make it for the World Cup
It seems that Mark-Andre ter Stegen is not destined to play at the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The German lost his status as Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper even before the start of the season, but he didn’t want to change clubs right away. Realizing that Hansi Flick had no intention of putting his trust in him ahead of Joan García and Wojciech Szczsny, he waited for the January break to choose the best option that would allow him to arrive at the upcoming World Cup in good form. About ten days ago, he finally moved to Girona and played in the first two matches after his arrival. However, on Saturday against Oviedo he injured his hamstring and is facing surgery, which means a layoff of at least two months, according to Spanish media.
🚨🎖| 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Ter Stegen has suffered a hamstring TEAR with possible tendon involvement. Further tests are still pending, and surgery has NOT been ruled out. He might return to Barça. [@JijantesFC] #fcblive 🏥 pic.twitter.com/XzkPOcW6i5
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) February 2, 2026
Even if he were younger than 33, which is how old he is, Ter Stegen would hardly have enough time to return to competitive rhythm and impose himself on Julian Nagelsmann for a call-up to the national team. At best, if he is healthy, the coach might show him respect and take him to his third World Cup as someone who could help the team psychologically—but Germans are Germans, they rarely let emotions guide them…
Misfortune for Barcelona’s captain began at the start of the season before last, in September 2024, when he injured his knee. He missed most of the season, and in the meantime the club decided to sign the much younger García from Espanyol for 25 million euros. Last August, Ter Stegen was informed that for the 2025/26 season he would be only the third choice, but instead of immediately looking for an environment where he could play regularly, he decided to stay. That turned out to be the wrong decision. His body fell out of competitive rhythm, and as soon as it was once again exposed to more serious physical demands, the injury followed. It could very well be decisive when it comes to Ter Stegen’s appearance at the World Cup. The Germans are still trying in every possible way to persuade Manuel Neuer to return to the national team, although it seems that Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann is currently closest to being the “number one,” having guarded the goal of the Mannschaft regularly in recent times.
Spain - Copa del Rey Quarterfinals
Tuesday
23.00: (14.0) Albacete (8.00) Barcelona (1.20)
Wednesday
23.00: (3.00) Alaves (3.05) Sociedad (2.55)
23.00: (2.55) Valencia (3.15) Ath.Bilbao (2.95)
Thursday
23.00: (3.50) Betis (3.45) Atl.Madrid (2.10)
***odds are subject to change***
