Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the rest of the World Cup and will be sidelined for several months after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Saturday’s 2-1 Group E win over Ivory Coast, the team said on Monday.
Schlotterbeck, a starting centre-back, was injured early in the match and was replaced by Antonio Rudiger at half-time. A scan on Sunday showed that the player had torn a ligament in his left ankle.
«Schlotterbeck suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left ankle… and will be out for several months. The defender of German number two Borussia Dortmund will remain with the team in the US for the time being,» the team said in a statement.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann can no longer call up a player to replace him now that the tournament is already underway.
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“Schlotti will be greatly missed on the field as an excellent defender, especially his excellent build-up play,” said Nagelsmann. «It could have been his World Cup. Yesterday we all tried to cheer him up. Fortunately, he is a very positive character who is already looking ahead.»
«It is a very positive sign that he remains in the team here initially, because he also has an influence off the field. Despite his absence, we are still very well in the center of defense for the World Cup with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw,» said the coach.
The Germans, who have secured top spot in their group and have already reached the knockout stages for the first time in twelve years, face Ecuador in their final group match on Thursday.
Published on June 22, 2026
