Setback For Germany! Star Defender Ruled Out Of FIFA World Cup 2026 Due To Injury

Published 22 June 2026 · sports

Setback For Germany! Star Defender Ruled Out Of FIFA World Cup 2026 Due To Injury Published By, Last Updated: June 22, 2026, 21:39 IST Nico

Setback For Germany! Star Defender Ruled Out Of FIFA World Cup 2026 Due To Injury Published By, Last Updated: June 22, 2026, 21:39 IST Nico Schlotterbeck, who plays as a central defender for Germany, suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle during team's second Group E match against Ivory Coast. Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out of FIFA World Cup 2026. (Picture Credit: AP) Germany suffered a major blow on Monday (June 22) as star defender Nico Schlotterbeck was officially ruled out of the remainder of the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to an injury sustained during their second Group E match against Ivory Coast at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday (June 20). According to a statement released by the German Football Association (DFB), the 26-year-old, who plays as a central defender for both Germany and Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, suffered a ligament injury in his left ankle.

Schlotterbeck “will be sidelined for several months. This was confirmed by medical examinations on Sunday," the DFB said in a statement, adding that he “will remain with the team in the US for the time being." Schlotterbeck started Germany’s second Group E match against Ivory Coast but was replaced at half-time by Antonio Rudiger after picking up the injury. In his absence, Real Madrid star Rudiger is expected to take over the central defensive role in Germany’s third group-stage match against Ecuador on June 25 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Schlotterbeck’s absence is a significant setback for Germany, as he not only excels defensively but also poses an attacking threat. In Germany’s opening match of this year’s FIFA World Cup, he scored the second goal in the four-time champions’ 7-1 victory over Curacao. “We’ll really miss Schlotti on the field as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent build-up play," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Monday.

“It could have been his World Cup. “We all tried to cheer him up yesterday — luckily, he’s a very positive guy who’s already looking ahead. It’s a good sign that he’s staying here with the team for now, because he has an impact off the field as well. “Despite his absence, we’re still very well placed in central defence for the World Cup with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw." The timeframe provided by the DFB means Schlotterbeck is likely to miss the start of next season. “I feel extremely sorry for Nico; he was in really good form and an indispensable part of our national team’s starting line-up," Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told the club’s website. “It’s a real shame and incredibly tough to take that he’s now out of the World Cup due to injury. But Nico showed last year how he can come back even stronger after an injury." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Harshit Bisht Senior Sub-editor Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis.