Germany have suffered a significant setback ahead of the World Cup, with 18-year-old attacking midfielder Lenart Karl ruled out after sustaining an injury in training. The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed the development yesterday.
According to the DFB, Karl has suffered a muscle tear, forcing his withdrawal from the tournament. He will be replaced in the squad by 20-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo. In an Instagram post, the DFB stated: “Leni suffered a serious muscle tear in final training. This injury has ruled him out (of the World Cup). We wish you a speedy recovery; we are with you.”
The injury occurred during Germany’s final training session in Chicago ahead of their preparatory match against the United States. Karl had been widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in German football, following an impressive season with Bayern Munich. He also holds the record as the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League.
After establishing himself at club level, Karl was considered among the standout young prospects for the upcoming World Cup. He made his international debut for Germany in March and has since earned three caps. Last week, he started against Finland, delivering a strong performance and providing an assist.
Karl’s recent performance statistics are summarised below:
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 |
| Club | Bayern Munich |
| Bundesliga 2025–26 | 26 matches, 5 goals |
| All Competitions 2025–26 | 39 matches, 9 goals |
| International Caps | 3 |
| International Debut | March 2026 |
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann had already indicated concerns regarding the severity of the injury. Speaking at a press conference, he said: “Unfortunately, Leni picked up an injury in training today. We will have to wait and see what happens. To be honest, it does not look good at all.”
Under World Cup regulations, a player who suffers a “serious injury or illness” may be replaced up to 24 hours before the team’s opening match. Germany have exercised this provision to bring in Ouédraogo. The four-time world champions will begin their campaign in Group E against tournament debutants Curaçao on 14 June.
Nagelsmann also confirmed on Friday that no risks will be taken with 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the friendly against the United States. Neuer sustained a muscle injury in his leg while playing for Bayern Munich last month, and concerns over his fitness remain.
As a result, Neuer is set to enter the World Cup without having played an international match for nearly two years. Although he announced his retirement from international football after the 2024 European Championship, he reversed that decision last month to rejoin the national team. In his absence, Oliver Baumann has been Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper and started in last week’s match against Finland.