Germany star’s World Cup in doubt as Julian Nagelsmann concedes injury ‘doesn’t look good’

German prodigy Lennart Karl’s World Cup could be over before it started.

According to Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, the 18-year-old sustained an injury during a training session on Friday.

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“It doesn’t look good,” Nagelsmann said.

“He went to the hospital and will have scans.

“We have to wait for the diagnosis and see if he can play at the World Cup or if we have to call up a replacement.”

Injury could end Karl’s dream season on sour note

Karl’s injury was sustained one day before the four-time world champions took on the United States in a pre-tournament tune-up.

Should Karl be forced to withdraw, it would be an incredibly cruel way to sign off on what has been a dream campaign with Bayern Munich.

The teenage sensation made his professional debut for the Bavarians last June at the Club World Cup and came on in leaps and bounds.

Karl wrote himself into Bayern folklore when he became the club’s youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League thanks to his strike in a 4-0 drubbing of Club Brugge in October.

In total, Karl ended the 2025/26 season with nine goals and eight assists to his name from 40 appearances across all competitions.

The teenager’s impressive displays in what was his first full season as a professional earned him a call-up to Nagelsmann’s squad for the World Cup, where he was one of seven inclusions from Bayern.

Manuel Neuer, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala and Aleksandar Pavlovic were also named among Nagelsmann’s 26-man team.

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However, the Bayern contingent could drop to six should Karl’s injury rob him of his World Cup debut.

When do Germany play their World Cup matches?

If Karl’s World Cup dreams are to be over, Nagelsmann will be able to draft in a late replacement just days before the tournament begins on June 11.

Germany go into the World Cup with high expectations as they look to add a fifth star above their badge.

Nagelsmann’s side were drawn into Group E alongside Curacao, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, who recorded a surprise 2-1 win over tournament favourites France in a friendly on Thursday.

Germany will face World Cup debutant Curacao on June 14 before taking on Ivory Coast six days later.

The European powerhouse round out their Group E fixtures against Ecuador on June 25.