Overview
- Germany confirmed that 18-year-old Lennart Karl suffered a muscle bundle (muscle fibre) tear in his left thigh during a training session and will miss the 2026 World Cup.
- The injury occurred in Chicago and Karl was taken to hospital for scans after coach Julian Nagelsmann said the situation "did not look good."
- RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo has been called up to replace Karl on the 26-man roster under FIFA rules that allow injury replacements before a team's opening match.
- Nagelsmann kept veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out of the immediate friendly as a precaution but said Neuer is expected to rejoin full training ahead of Germany's opening game.
- Karl's withdrawal removes a youthful attacking option from Germany's plans and forces the coaching staff to reshape tactics and manage player fitness with just days to adjust before the group-stage start.