The Barcelona shot stopper has taken over the starting berth in goal for Germany ever since Manuel Neuer suffered a season-ending knee injury right after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Neuer is closing in on a return to full fitness and with the European Championships less than a year away, Germany manager Hansi Flick will have to settle on his number one goalkeeper for the tournament on home soil.
But Ter Stegen is not ready to relinquish his starting spot even when Neuer returns.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper has made 34 appearances for Germany since making his debut in 2012.
Back in 2018, Neuer struggled with injuries but was still picked ahead of Ter Stegen for the World Cup in Russia.
"Yes, I'm the number 1! I will do everything to keep that status," ter Stegen told Bild ahead of Saturday's friendly against Japan.
"I don't know what stage of his career 'Manu' is at. After such a serious injury, the most important thing is that he gets back on the pitch. I hope he enjoys football again. I cannot influence these issues. I can't and I don't want to waste energy on that. I can't tell the coach what to do. My focus is on what I can do in the next two games.
"In 2017, Manu was the clear number 1. I had shown what I could do and hoped that I would be in goal. It wasn't like that. It was the coach's decision. Now the situation has changed. Now I can play."
