According to German newspaper Bild, Lennart Karl will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering an injury during Friday's training session. The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder is expected to be withdrawn from Julian Nagelsmann's squad, forcing Germany to name a replacement ahead of the tournament.

A Significant Loss for Germany

Although he was not a regular starter for the Bundesliga champions, Karl developed into an important attacking option for Bayern Munich.

The midfielder was directly involved in 17 goals this season through goals and assists, making him a valuable weapon off the bench and a versatile option in the final third.

“Lennart suffered an injury in training and, honestly, it doesn't look good. We have to wait for the diagnosis and then decide whether he can realistically make the World Cup or if we need to call up a replacement,” Nagelsmann said before the final decision was confirmed.

His absence is a setback for a German side hoping to re-establish itself among the world's elite after several disappointing major tournaments.

How Long Does Nagelsmann Have to Name a Replacement?

To replace the Bayern Munich player, Germany can select a substitute from the preliminary 55-man squad previously submitted to FIFA.

Nagelsmann has until one day before Germany's opening World Cup match to make the change official.

Germany will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on June 14 against Curaçao in Group E.

Adeyemi and Brandt Among the Leading Candidates

Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt are among the names being mentioned as potential replacements.

Adeyemi would bring pace, directness and attacking depth, while Brandt offers creativity, versatility and significant international experience.

Nagelsmann's final decision will likely depend on the profile he believes best complements a Germany squad aiming to challenge for the World Cup title in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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