Overview
- Karl suffered a tear to a muscle bundle in his left thigh during Germany’s final training session in Chicago on Friday and was taken to hospital for scans that the German FA later confirmed.
- Coach Julian Nagelsmann moved quickly to add RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo to the 26-man squad under FIFA rules that allow injury replacements before a team’s opening match.
- Karl returned to Germany for treatment after an emotional farewell with teammates and told fans on Instagram that missing the World Cup 'hurts beyond words.'
- Nagelsmann said veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not play in the friendly in Chicago as a precaution but is expected to rejoin full team training ahead of Germany’s June 14 opener against Curaçao.
- The loss removes one of Germany’s most promising young attackers after a breakout season for Bayern and forces tactical adjustments as the team finalizes its plans to avoid another early World Cup exit.