Julian Nagelsmann has to cope with a personnel shock just a few days before the start of the World Cup. Lennart Karl, the 18-year-old, carefree and cheeky young star of FC Bayern Munich, has been ruled out for the soccer tournament in America. Karl suffered a torn muscle bundle in his left front thigh in the final training session before the last test match this Saturday (20:30/RTL) in Chicago against co-hosts USA, as the DFB announced following an examination of the attacking player in a hospital.
Only the second World Cup absence of a Bayern professional
In Serge Gnabry, a Bayern professional had previously had to withdraw from the World Cup due to a muscle tendon injury. Karl's injury is also reminiscent of the fate of Marco Reus shortly before the 2014 World Cup, when the former Dortmund player suffered an ankle injury in the final test before flying to Brazil and missed the World Cup triumph. Karl now got it one day before the tournament dress rehearsal, but already in the host country.
On March 27, Karl only made his debut for the senior national team in the 4:3 win in Switzerland. He was substituted again three days later in the 2-1 win over Ghana. He then made his starting eleven debut in the 4-0 win over Finland. He put in a convincing performance in attacking midfield in Mainz and was considered a clear option for the starting eleven against the US team.
In Ouédraogo, the national coach has brought another young professional into his World Cup team. "With Assan Ouédraogo, we now have a player who, like Lenny, had a great start with us. He is also highly talented and should play boldly and light-heartedly here," said Nagelsmann about the 2023 U-17 World and European Champion. The Leipzig native suffered a knee injury after his DFB debut and made his comeback two months ago.
Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
