Germany World Cup Setback: Lennart Karl Ruled Out Due to Injury

Germany’s World Cup plans took a heavy hit on Friday when teenage forward Lennart Karl was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a serious muscle injury in training.

The German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed the news in a stark update, revealing that the 18-year-old Bayern Munich talent tore a muscle bundle in the team’s final training session before Saturday’s friendly against the United States in Chicago.

“Lenny tore a muscle bundle today in the final training session and is ruled out because of this injury. Have a good recovery, we're thinking of you,” the DFB posted on Instagram, capturing the abrupt end to what had been a breakthrough year for the youngster.

Minutes on the pitch have been precious for Karl this season, but every one of them has counted. Thrown into the Bundesliga by Vincent Kompany, he quickly forced his way into Bayern’s league‑winning side and became one of the stories of the campaign. His rise pushed him into Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad and, last Sunday, into Germany’s starting XI.

He seized that chance too, starting in the 4-0 win over Finland and providing an assist in an assured, fearless performance that hinted at a major role this summer.

Now it is over before it really began.

Nagelsmann had already sounded a warning note earlier on Friday in Chicago, admitting Karl’s injury “didn't look good” and confirming the forward had been sent to hospital for scans. The diagnosis left no room for optimism.

With Karl out, Germany have moved quickly. RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouedraogo has been called up as his replacement, a tactical shift that underlines how unique Karl’s profile was in this squad. Ouedraogo brings energy and versatility in midfield, but he does not fill the same attacking lane-stretching role that Karl was beginning to make his own.

For Nagelsmann, it is an unwelcome reshuffle at a delicate stage of preparation. Germany face the United States on Saturday, then turn fully toward their opening World Cup match against Curacao on June 14, a fixture already carrying weight as a marker of where this evolving team truly stands.

There was more injury news around the camp, this time involving a familiar name. Manuel Neuer will also miss the game against the US, still short of full fitness, though Nagelsmann expects his veteran goalkeeper to be ready for the World Cup opener.

Neuer, 40, returned to the international fold in May in one of the most eye-catching decisions of Germany’s build-up, almost two years after announcing his retirement from the national team. Nagelsmann, though, made it clear he trusts the 2014 World Cup winner to step straight back into the spotlight.

“At his age, he doesn't need a warm-up phase,” the coach said. “He knows how to handle high-pressure situations. He's on his way to peak fitness. However, we don't want to take any risks tomorrow.”

So Germany head into the United States friendly without their newly rediscovered No. 1 and without the young forward who had injected fresh electricity into their attack. One is expected back in time for the main event. The other will have to watch the World Cup from home, his rapid ascent abruptly paused, his next step postponed to a future Germany will now hope arrives just as fast as his first breakthrough.