Marc-Andre ter Stegen Returns to German National Team, Coach Confirms

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is returning to the German national team. This comes 15 months after his 44th and most recent international appearance.

Míchel, the coach of ter Stegen's club Ajax, shared the news. He explained that ter Stegen is recovering from a serious injury. The coach decided to rest him for a league match on Tuesday evening against Willem II Tilburg because an international break is approaching.

Míchel believes now is a good time to let backup goalkeeper Maarten Paes play. This allows ter Stegen to fully recover for Saturday's match and the subsequent international period. "If ter Stegen travels to the national team – which is likely – we will have time afterwards to continue working on his recovery," Míchel added.

Reports suggest national team manager Jürgen Klopp plans for ter Stegen, seen as Manuel Neuer's long-term successor, to be the future first-choice goalkeeper. He held this position briefly under Klopp's predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann, after Neuer's temporary retirement post-Euro 2024. However, injuries repeatedly sidelined him. His last cap was on June 8, 2025, in a Nations League match against France (0-2) in Stuttgart.

Ter Stegen's comeback could feel like a home game. Klopp's debut match will see the German team face the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 as part of the Nations League. Additional opponents during this international window include Greece (September 27), Serbia (October 1), and Greece again (October 4). Klopp is scheduled to announce his squad on Thursday at 10:00 AM.

A large squad is expected. Alexander Nübel (Besiktas) and Jonas Urbig (FC Bayern) are considered ter Stegen's main competitors. Finn Dahmen from Augsburg is also anticipated to be included. Manuel Neuer, who has definitively retired from the national team, and former second-choice Oliver Baumann are not expected to feature.