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Germany enter the 2026 World Cup aiming to end a poor recent record at major tournaments, as Sami Khedira weighs their chances and reflects on Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s severe injury setback that has reshaped the goalkeeping picture before the finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Khedira believes Germany could still compete for the title if key players stay fit, yet also views ter Stegen’s problems as a harsh personal blow after years spent waiting behind Manuel Neuer for a starting role with the national team.

Germany are drawn against Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup group stage, targeting a place in the knockout rounds for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014, and Khedira expects a stronger performance than at the last two editions despite fierce competition from leading European rivals.

The former midfielder set out the conditions for Germany to challenge deep into the tournament, saying: “If the core of the team – Baumann, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Wirtz, Musiala – is physically and mentally strong and can maintain that level for five weeks, Germany could be a favourite. Even so, right now I see Spain, England, and France as a step ahead because of the depth of their squads. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup. And I’d venture to say that I think we’ll do better than in the last two World Cups.”

Julian Nagelsmann’s side reached the finals by topping their qualifying group, winning five of six matches to secure early passage, and those results helped stabilise a team that has struggled at recent World Cups, while also giving Oliver Baumann valuable experience as starting goalkeeper during the entire campaign.

Ter Stegen was expected to step in as first-choice goalkeeper for Germany at the 2026 World Cup after Neuer retired from international duty following the 2024 European Championships, yet persistent fitness issues this season have jeopardised that plan and opened the door for Baumann to extend the run in goal.

The 33-year-old missed the opening phase of the 2025-26 season at Barcelona with a back injury, which ruled ter Stegen out of all six World Cup qualifiers and allowed Baumann to start every match, then a January loan to Girona was meant to revive hopes of winning the shirt for the tournament but instead led to another setback.

Ter Stegen suffered a hamstring problem during only the second appearance for Girona, with reports indicating an absence of up to three months, and those fresh concerns came after a long wait for a big-tournament chance, despite a professional debut for Borussia Monchengladbach in the 2010-11 season and a senior Germany debut in 2012 without a single World Cup or European Championship appearance.

Khedira described the situation in emotional terms, stating: “It’s one of the cruellest stories, Khedira, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, told AS. You finally have the chance to be number one, especially at a World Cup, and then you get injured again. It’s incredibly tough. As an athlete, I feel really bad for him. But Baumann is also doing well. He’s not Neuer, but he’s performed well for Germany.”

Ter Stegen’s misfortune strengthens Baumann’s claim to remain in goal at the 2026 World Cup, while Nagelsmann must also manage expectations around a squad that Khedira rates below Spain, England and France in depth yet still views as capable of advancing further than in their last two tournaments if the main group stay healthy and consistent across the five-week event.