The German Football Association said on its Instagram account, “Lenny suffered a muscle tear during the last training session, and because of this injury he will miss the tournament,” and added: “We wish you a speedy recovery. We are thinking of you.”
The German national team summoned Leipzig midfielder Asane Oudraogo to replace the 18-year-old Bayern Munich player.
Technical director Julian Nagelsmann had said earlier in Chicago, ahead of the friendly match scheduled against the United States, on Saturday, that Karl’s injury “does not look good,” noting that he was taken to the hospital for tests.
Karl’s absence is a blow to Germany, as he was one of the most prominent surprises of the Bundesliga season after he played his debut in the first division this season, and quickly imposed himself within Belgian coach Vincent Kompany’s squad that won the title.
Karl started his first match with the German national team in the 4-0 victory over Finland on Sunday, during which he assisted a goal.
Nagelsmann also confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not be ready in time to face the United States, but he expressed his hope that he will return during Germany’s first match in the World Cup against Curacao on June 14.
Neuer (40 years old), who won the 2014 World Cup, was surprisingly summoned to the tournament last May, nearly two years after he announced his international retirement.
Nagelsmann said: “At his age, he does not need a warm-up period. He knows how to deal with high-pressure situations. He is on his way to reaching maximum readiness. But we do not want to take any risks (against the United States).”
