Lennart Karl Out of 2026 World Cup; Assan Ouédraogo Called Up as Replacement

Lennart Karl, an 18-year-old promising midfielder from FC Bayern München, will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a muscle bundle tear in his left thigh suffered during the German national team's training ahead of a friendly against the USA. The injury was confirmed by the German Football Association (DFB) following an MRI scan. Karl's absence is a significant blow to the German squad, as he had become a standout player in recent matches, including a notable performance in a 4-0 victory over Finland.

Bundesnationaltrainer Julian Nagelsmann expressed deep disappointment over Karl's injury, calling it "a huge shock for him and all of us." Karl himself took to Instagram to share his sorrow, stating, "It just hurts indescribably to miss the biggest tournament of my career," but pledged to support his teammates and return stronger. His post received a flood of supportive messages from fellow players, including Jamal Musiala and Antonio Rüdiger.

To fill the vacant spot, Nagelsmann has called up 20-year-old Assan Ouédraogo from RB Leipzig. Ouédraogo has prior international experience, having scored in his debut match against Slovakia in November. After recovering from knee injuries, he recently returned to play and has shown promising talent as an offensive midfielder. Nagelsmann praised Ouédraogo's capabilities, noting his potential to contribute significantly and encouraging him to play boldly and freely. Ouédraogo is an U17 World and European Champion from 2023, marking a strong pedigree for the national team's future.

Additionally, the German squad faces other challenges as veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains doubtful for the World Cup due to a calf injury sustained three weeks ago, potentially paving the way for Oliver Baumann to step in.

According to FIFA regulations, Nagelsmann has until June 13 to finalize squad changes ahead of Germany’s opening match against Curacao on June 14. The team is adapting quickly to these setbacks, focusing on rallying around their new lineup for the upcoming tournament.