German prodigy Lennart Karl sidelined for World Cup with torn muscle

A training-ground injury has ended Karl's hopes of featuring at the World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Germany Training - Adidas campus, Herzogenaurach, Germany - May 28, 2026 Germany's Lennart Karl during training REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

One of the World Cup's potential breakout stars will not play at all as 18-year-old Germany midfielder Lennart Karl tore a muscle in his left thigh during a team training session on Friday in Chicago.

According to reports, Karl underwent an MRI that confirmed the injury.

Germany, which opens Group E play against Curacao on June 14 in Houston, hoped to rely on the Bayern Munich wunderkind who piled up nine goals and seven assists during 34 matches in 2025-26.

Karl posted five goals and five helpers in 26 Bundesliga matches and contributed four goals and two assists in eight Champions League appearances.

When Germany defeated Finland 4-0 in a friendly on Sunday in Germany, Karl was part of the starting lineup and assisted on Deniz Undav's second tally of the matchup at the 57-minute mark.

With Karl sidelined, Germany has the luxury of bringing in captain Joshua Kimmich to replace him in the lineup. The squad has a friendly against the United States on Saturday in Chicago to sort out potential solutions.