Germany's Karl to miss World Cup after training injury

Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup just days before the start of the tournament, dealing Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann a major blow.

The 18-year-old Bayern Munich forward suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during Germany's final training session ahead of Saturday's World Cup warm-up match in Chicago against the United States, the German Football Federation (DFB) said after Karl underwent tests in hospital.

Karl, who has three international caps, is seen as a rising star for the German side. He made his first start for Germany in the 4-0 win against Finland on Sunday in Mainz, impressing in attacking midfield.

Nagelsmann moved quickly to replace him, calling up RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo to his 26-man squad.

Ouédraogo, 20, made his Germany debut in November's 6-0 win over Slovakia in their final World Cup qualifier and scored in the match.

Nagelsmann had appeared visibly concerned at a press conference shortly after the training session, saying the injury did not look good but initially giving no further details.

"I feel incredibly sorry for Lenny. With his fearlessness, creativity, pace and personality, he fitted into the team brilliantly," Nagelsmann said. "It is a huge shock for him and for all of us that he will miss the World Cup."

"It is only a small consolation that he is young and still has many tournaments ahead of him. We would have loved to have him in the team," the coach added.

Karl says WorldCup absence 'hurts beyond words'

Karl later addressed his injury and World Cup absence in a post on Instagram.

"I don't know where to start but it simply hurts beyond words to have to miss the biggest tournament," the teenager wrote. "Unfortunately, injuries often come at the most unfortunate time."

Karl said he had done everything to be fit for the World Cup and promised to come back stronger.

"Thank you for the strong messages," he wrote.

Thousands of comments appeared under Karl's post, including from Germany players Jamal Musiala, Nick Woltemade and Antonio Rüdiger, as well as Bayern team-mates Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano and Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Karl is the second Bayern Munich player to be ruled out of Germany's World Cup squad through injury after Serge Gnabry was forced to withdraw with a muscle tendon problem.

Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, must wait to make his return in goal for the national team as he will miss the match against the US as a precaution.

Neuer retired from international football after Euro 2024 but was called back to the squad for the World Cup despite nursing a minor calf injury.

"He's doing well, he's on his way to peak fitness. Nevertheless, we don't want to take any risks tomorrow," Nagelsmann said.

Neuer is expected to join team training next week and be fit for Germany's World Cup opener against Curaçao.