German team lost midfielder due to injury, looking for a replacement

The German team just experienced a big shock when midfielder Lennart Karl, an 18-year-old player on the Bayern Munich payroll, was injured during a training session on November 5. According to information from Sky Sports and Bild, Karl's injury was confirmed after medical tests. This is really sad news for coach Julian Nagelsmann and the team, as the mood at his press conference was quite gloomy.

Karl had a successful season with Bayern Munich, as he was given more playing opportunities thanks to Musiala's absence due to injury. Last season, he appeared 39 times, scored 9 goals and had 7 assists. His appearance in the German national team was also very timely, when he was called up during preparations for the World Cup. Karl had the opportunity to play in friendly matches against Switzerland and Ghana, along with the match against Finland on the 31st of last month. However, he only made 3 appearances for the national team, being the player with the least experience in this call-up, next to goalkeeper Nübel.

Karl's replacement in the squad will be Assan Ouédraogo, a 20-year-old midfielder playing for the Leipzig team. His team has officially confirmed this. Ouédraogo only had 11 minutes of playing time for the national team, in a 6-0 win over Slovakia last November. Currently, he is resting in Spain and will prepare for the first World Cup participation in his career.

The German team will compete in Group E of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face strong opponents such as Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaçao. This is a challenging group, requiring the team to make every effort to win the right to continue to the next round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter now?

This midfielder update affects fans, teams, and the wider season picture — read above for the full breakdown.

What happens next?

Stay tuned for official updates and follow our coverage for the latest developments.