Overview

• Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will miss Germany’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers after undergoing back surgery.
• Manuel Neuer has delivered standout performances for Bayern Munich this summer and is under contract through 2026.
• Veteran Lothar Matthäus publicly urged coach Julian Nagelsmann to bring Neuer back, stating “the best should play.”
• Commentators have proposed Bernd Leno as a backup option; he brings extensive Premier League experience despite previously declining a standby role.
• Other domestic contenders such as Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel and Kevin Trapp remain under consideration but lack Neuer’s tournament leadership track record.