MARC-ANDRé TER STEGEN TO UNDERGO SURGERY FOLLOWING SERIOUS GIRONA INJURY
Marc-André ter Stegen faces surgery and a long recovery after a serious injury at Girona, putting his 2026 World Cup spot in doubt.
FC Barcelona made headlines this winter when Marc-André ter Stegen, their German goalkeeper, left for Girona. He wanted more minutes on the pitch and had his sights set on making Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. That was the plan, anyway.
But things went sideways fast. In just his second game for Girona under Míchel, Ter Stegen picked up a serious injury. Now he needs surgery, and he’ll be out for months.
After the news broke, Ter Stegen didn’t keep quiet. He posted a raw, honest message online, letting fans in on what he’s going through.
Here’s what he wrote:
Most of you don’t know me personally, so I want to open up a bit. I’ve always tried to stay positive—no matter what life throws at me. But this injury? It’s a tough one.
Last weekend, my worst fear happened. I got hurt during the match. I’d just arrived in Girona, and from day one, everyone here made me feel welcome. I was excited to help the team chase our goals, but now everything’s changed for me.
I won’t be out there on the field, but I’m not going anywhere. This group isn’t just a team—it’s like a family, and I’ve felt their support from the start.
As athletes, there’s nothing better than playing and training. Now I have to put that on hold for a while. I’ve decided to have surgery.
I’ll be back.
You can feel how much this stings for him. He’d just landed at Montilivi, already made his mark with the squad and fans, and now he’s sidelined. The timing couldn’t be worse, either. With such a long road to recovery, his World Cup dream is hanging by a thread. Even so, Ter Stegen’s message makes one thing clear—he’s not giving up. He’s determined to come back stronger, ready for football whenever it calls him again.
ITALY RECORDS FIRST SQUAD CHANGE OF PLAY-OFFS AS CAMBIAGHI REPLACES FEDERICO CHIESA
Gennaro Gattuso calls up Nicolò Cambiaghi to replace Federico Chiesa as Italy face Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Federico Chiesa just dropped out of the Italy squad, days after finally getting his first call-up in almost two years. Gennaro Gattuso picked him for Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, and possibly another match with Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina after that, depending on how things go.
But after joining up with the team, it looks like Chiesa won’t be playing for the Azzurri. He’s barely started for Liverpool this season, just five times, with only one in the Premier League. He’s struggled with the physical demands at Liverpool and hasn't been able to put in the minutes he used to.
The Italian FA put out a statement: "Federico Chiesa was assessed on arrival at the Federal Technical Centre and deemed unavailable for the next two matches. In agreement with his club, he has left the squad. Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi has been called up as his replacement."
Earlier this year, Chiesa admitted the jump from Serie A to the Premier League was tough on him, and he told Gattuso he wouldn’t return to the Italy squad until he felt "100 per cent". Gattuso backed him up: "I must respect what the player tells me. I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has.”
He hasn't played for Italy since joining Liverpool, with his last appearance for the national team at Euro 2024. Chiesa has 51 senior caps, and from 2018 to 2024, he was a fixture in the squad. He was huge for Italy during their Euro 2020 win, starting all seven games and scoring two big goals in the knockouts.
Italy, meanwhile, is aiming for a spot in its first World Cup since 2014. They’ll face Northern Ireland next, who just called up Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison for his first senior cap. Italy finished second in qualifying behind Norway, and Gattuso took over from Luciano Spalletti midway through. Premier League names like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori, and Sandro Tonali are all in the squad for these critical play-off matches.
THOMAS TUCHEL NAMES EXPANDED ENGLAND SQUAD FEATURING FOUR SURPRISE NEW INCLUSIONS
Thomas Tuchel hands maiden England call-ups to James Garner and Jason Steele while omitting Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James Garner from Everton and Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele have earned their first call-ups to the England squad. Alongside them, AC Milan’s defender Fikayo Tomori and Tottenham’s forward Dominic Solanke have also been included. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw did not make the cut this time.
Jude Bellingham, despite being sidelined since early February due to a hamstring injury, is still part of the squad. Experienced centre-back Harry Maguire, now 33, has the chance to add to his 64 caps, while 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the Euro 2024 final, is also selected. Both last represented England in September 2024 but have been rewarded for Manchester United’s recent good form, which has lifted them to third place in the Premier League.
Luke Shaw, pushing for inclusion, has been overlooked once again. Instead, Tuchel has called up Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, marking his first call-up since Tuchel took over.
This squad is larger than usual, with players arriving in two phases during the international window. Tuchel explained on the Football Association’s website that the first group includes players who haven’t played much recently, aiming to broaden competition for spots in the upcoming US tour. Then, from Friday to Saturday, another group will join, including some who’ve had a short rest, to mix things up for the match against Japan.
England will face Uruguay at Wembley on March 27, followed by a home game against Japan on March 31. Looking ahead, the World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with England considered among the contenders.
Here’s the full squad breakdown:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle), Jason Steele (Brighton)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
