The lesbian goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is continuing her career with the national team. This decision by the 35-year-old from the U.S. club Gotham FC was announced by the German Football Association (DFB). Berger said she had informed national team head coach Christian Wück and goalkeeper coach Michael Fuchs about the decision. The next World Cup will take place in the summer of 2027 in Brazil.
Germany’s two-time Footballer of the Year had, with her penalty heroics, led the German squad to Olympic bronze in 2024 in France. She also shone at the European Championship this summer in Switzerland, especially during the penalty-shootout drama in the quarterfinal against France. Recently, Berger lined up for the DFB squad in the Nations League final against Spain.
Berger would be almost 37 at the World Cup in Brazil. She had left her future with the DFB team open recently. Berger also spoke about the burdensome travel from the United States to Europe. Until 2026 she remains under contract with Gotham.
The native Swabian had only recently become the national team’s regular starter: Wück’s predecessor Horst Hrubesch promoted Berger to the No. 1 spot ahead of the Olympics and left the long-time goalkeeper Merle Frohms on the bench. Since then, Berger has earned 29 international caps. Before her stint in the United States, she had already played for Turbine Potsdam, Paris Saint-Germain, Birmingham City, and Chelsea FC.
Berger is dating her teammate Jessica Carter (TheColu.mn reported). In May 2024 they announced their engagement.
