[Official] "Excluded from remaining World Cup matches" Germany on high alert; key center-back 'ruled out' after just two games

*This content was translated by AI.

A major setback has struck the German national football team, which had already secured early qualification for the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean Cup Round of 32 and signaled the revival of the "German" (Tank).

The German Football Association announced on the 22nd (Korean time) that defender Nico Schlotterbeck (27, Borussia Dortmund) will be unable to participate in the remaining World Cup matches due to an injury to the medial ligament of his left ankle. "Preliminary examinations indicate that a multi-month absence is unavoidable," the association stated.

Earlier, Schlotterbeck had started in the Group E second match against Côte d'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium the previous day but was substituted at halftime due to injury and received this diagnosis following a detailed examination.

Since the tournament has already begun, German regulations prevent the national team from selecting a replacement for Schlotterbeck, meaning they must complete the remaining schedule with only 25 players. Instead, it is reported that Schlotterbeck will not return home immediately but will remain with the team for the time being.

For the German national team, which is aiming for its first World Cup title in 12 years since the 2014 Brazil tournament, the injury and departure of a key center-back after just two matches presents a significant variable. Schlotterbeck had started and played the full 90 minutes in the Group E first match against Curaçao, scoring a goal, and also started as a center-back in the match against Côte d'Ivoire. However, he has now faced a major injury setback after only two World Cup games.

According to local reports including Sky Sports, Schlotterbeck may need to focus on rehabilitation for up to two months. The expected return date is around late August, after the new European league season begins. Local media report that Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid) will take Schlotterbeck's place in the German national team's defense for this World Cup.

Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of the German national team, said, "Schlotterbeck is a player with outstanding ability, so his injury and departure is a very significant loss for our team. We will miss his excellent build-up skills. This World Cup could have been his stage. Nevertheless, it is welcome news that Schlotterbeck has decided to stay with the team for the time being, as he influences the team even off the field. While his departure is regrettable, we have Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Rüdiger, and others, so we are well-equipped to compete in the World Cup."

Earlier, Germany defeated Curaçao 7-1 and Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in Group E, accumulating six points (two wins) and securing both first place in the group and qualification for the Round of 32. Germany's passage through the World Cup group stage marks the first time since the 2014 Brazil tournament, 12 years and three tournaments later. In the 2018 Russia tournament, they were eliminated after losing to South Korea in the final group match, and in the 2022 Qatar tournament, they were eliminated after losing to Japan in their first group match.

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*This content was translated by AI.