The lightning cable won't fit into the charging port on my Air Pods case anymore

Try, very carefully, with something non-conductive like a toothpick, to probe the port. If you've made a habit of carrying the case in a pocket, an astounding amount of pocket lint can get lodged in the port and then jammed against the back every time you plug in a cord. Go slowly and patiently.

Greetings ViviMagoo,

It sounds like there may be a defect with the Lightning cable or Charging Case. To isolate the issue, try using a different cable.

If the issue persists, the following article shows how to order a replacement Charging Case: AirPods Replacement, Service, and Repair - Official Apple Support

Here's an additional link for seeking service via Apple Support: Get battery service for your AirPod or Charging Case

Kind regards.