Nagelsmann Faces Injury Doubts Ahead of World Cup
Germany’s World Cup build-up took a sharp, unwelcome twist in Chicago, with Julian Nagelsmann admitting that teenage forward Mathys Karl is now a major doubt for the tournament after suffering an injury in training.
Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s friendly against the United States, the national team’s final warm-up game, Nagelsmann cut a blunt, sober figure as he outlined the situation around the 18-year-old Bayern Munich talent.
“To be honest, it didn't look good. He's going to the hospital now to get a scan done,” the Germany coach said, making no attempt to dress up the concern.
The exact nature of Karl’s injury remains under wraps, but the tone told its own story.
Germany had only just started to dream about what Karl might bring on the biggest stage. The youngster burst into the spotlight this season, breaking into Bayern’s first team and quickly earning a place in Vincent Kompany’s Bundesliga-winning side. His rise felt sudden, but his impact was undeniable.
That momentum followed him into the national setup. In Mainz on Sunday, Karl made his first start for Germany and looked completely at home in the 4-0 win over Finland, capping his full debut with an assist. It felt like the beginning of something.
Now, everything pauses.
“We need to process the situation first, and so does he. We need a diagnosis in order to do that. Then we'll see whether or not we call up a replacement,” Nagelsmann explained.
No drama, no speculation. Just a coach waiting on medical clarity, aware that every hour counts before final squad decisions are locked in.
For Karl, this is a brutal twist in timing. For Nagelsmann, it is a tactical and emotional headache. An 18-year-old who had just played his way into the conversation for meaningful World Cup minutes now faces the possibility of watching the tournament from afar.
Neuer ruled out of US friendly
The injury cloud over Karl was not the only fitness issue Nagelsmann had to address. Manuel Neuer, recalled in May in a move that stunned many given his international retirement nearly two years ago, will also miss the United States friendly.
Nagelsmann confirmed the veteran goalkeeper is not yet ready to return but remains optimistic about his availability for Germany’s World Cup opener against Curacao on June 14.
The message on Neuer was calm, almost relaxed.
“At his age, he doesn't need a warm-up phase,” Nagelsmann said. “He knows how to handle high-pressure situations. He's on his way to peak fitness. However, we don't want to take any risks tomorrow.”
It was a reminder of who Neuer is: a 2014 World Cup winner, a goalkeeper whose presence still carries weight in any dressing room. Germany did not bring him back for sentiment. They brought him back because, if fit, he still changes games.
So Germany head into their final rehearsal with a curious mix of certainty and doubt. Neuer, the old pillar, being carefully managed for the real thing. Karl, the new spark, suddenly fighting the clock before he has even had the chance to light up a major tournament.
The scan in Chicago will not just define the next few weeks for an 18-year-old. It may also force Nagelsmann to redraw part of his World Cup blueprint on the fly.
