Nagelsmann announces Karl’s injury during German national team training
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said that young player Lennart Karl suffered an injury of unknown nature during training today, Friday, and is now on his way to the hospital, as the national team prepares to face its American counterpart tomorrow, Saturday, in its last friendly match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder was a surprise addition to Nagelsmann’s squad after his rapid rise this season with Bayern Munich, winners of the domestic double, but his participation in the World Cup now seems in doubt.
Nagelsmann said in a press conference before the friendly match with the United States, which is hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, “Lenny was injured today. We have to see what the nature of the injury is. It does not look good.”
He added, “We will go to the hospital to undergo x-rays calmly. Don’t start following him. Leave him alone. You will receive the news. He has to understand the situation himself.”
“We need a diagnosis first and we will inform you whether we can continue with him, which is what we hope for, or whether we will call in another player.”
The German national team, which has won the title four times, has its sights set on winning the title after its sudden exit from the first round in the previous two editions of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
The German national team has not achieved any international success since winning its last World Cup title in Brazil in 2014.
Germany plays in Group Five of the World Cup, and begins its campaign by facing Curacao on June 14, before meeting Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
