Nagelsmann Concerned Over Teen Sensation Karl After Training Injury

Germany’s World Cup preparations were jolted in Chicago as Julian Nagelsmann admitted teenage forward Karl is a serious doubt for the tournament after suffering an injury in training.

The 18-year-old, one of the breakout stars of Bayern Munich’s title-winning campaign under Vincent Kompany, was sent to hospital for scans on Friday. The incident cast an immediate shadow over Germany’s final warm-up game against the United States on Saturday – and potentially over their entire campaign.

“To be honest, it didn’t look good. He’s going to the hospital now to get a scan done,” Nagelsmann said, his tone matching the gravity of the situation.

For now, there is no clarity on the exact nature of the injury. The Germany coach refused to go into detail, stressing that both player and staff first needed to come to terms with what had happened before making any decisions.

“We need to process the situation first, and so does he. We need a diagnosis in order to do that. Then we’ll see whether or not we call up a replacement,” Nagelsmann added.

It is a brutal twist for Karl, who only made his top-flight debut this season but forced his way into Bayern’s starting plans and then into the national team picture. His fearless attacking play and rapid adaptation under Kompany helped drive Bayern to the Bundesliga title, and his rise continued with Germany.

On Sunday in Mainz, he started his first match for the national side in a 4-0 win over Finland and marked the occasion by setting up a goal, underlining why Nagelsmann had fast-tracked him into the squad. Four days later, he is facing the possibility of watching the World Cup from home.

While Karl’s status hangs in the balance, Nagelsmann must also navigate the immediate challenge against the United States without his most experienced goalkeeper.

Manuel Neuer has been ruled out of the friendly as he continues his push toward full fitness. The 2014 World Cup winner, who was recalled in May nearly two years after announcing his international retirement, will sit out in Chicago but remains on course for the tournament itself.

Nagelsmann made it clear he expects the 38-year-old to be ready for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curacao on June 14.

“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 step into their final rehearsal without their veteran No.1 and with their brightest young attacking spark on crutches and in doubt. The performance against the United States now feels secondary. All eyes are on a hospital scan and the verdict that could reshape Nagelsmann’s World Cup plans before a ball has even been kicked in Curacao.