Germany midfielder Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup; Assan Ouedraogo appointed as replacement

Germany attacking midfielder Lennart Karl will miss the World Cup after suffering a muscle tear during training for Saturday’s friendly against the United States, coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

The 18-year-old suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during training in Chicago on Friday and was taken to hospital. He is replaced by Assan Ouedraogo.

“I feel very sorry for Lenny,” Nagelsmann said. “With his lightheartedness, his creativity, his pace and his personality, he fit perfectly into the team.”

Karl enjoyed a meteoric rise this season as he helped Bayern complete the domestic double and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

«It is a huge shock for him and for all of us that he will miss the World Cup. It is only a small consolation that he is young and still has many tournaments ahead of him,» said Nagelsmann.

«With Assan Ouedraogo we now get a player who, just like Lenny, has had a great start with us. He is also very talented and the aim is for him to play bravely and freely here.»

Germany arrived in the United States on Tuesday for the World Cup that starts next week.

The four-time champion has set his sights on winning the title after a shock first-round exit at the previous two tournaments, in 2018 and 2022.

Germany have not tasted international success since winning their last World Cup title in Brazil in 2014.

The country is in Group E and starts its campaign against Curaçao on June 14 before facing Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Published on June 6, 2026