What happened: Germany forward Lennart Karl has been officially ruled out of the 2026 World Cup due to a thigh injury. The announcement confirms he will miss the upcoming international tournament.

Why it matters: Losing a forward of Karl's caliber alters Germany's attacking dynamics on the eve of the World Cup. The timing of the thigh injury leaves the squad scrambling to adjust their offensive rotation before group stage play begins.

What to watch: The German national team will need to announce a roster replacement in the coming days as they finalize preparations for the tournament.