World Cup 2026: bad news for Germany

20.06.26 FT World Cup

Germany

2

:

Ivory Coast

1

Germany secured an important victory against Ivory Coast, but the evening was overshadowed by the worrying departure of Nico Schlotterbeck. The central defender picked up an injury very early in the match, in the 13th minute, yet remained on the pitch until halftime.

Suffering from an ankle issue, the 26-year-old will undergo medical tests to determine the exact nature of his problem. Julian Nagelsmann has already hinted that the situation is far from reassuring. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good,” the German coach said after the match.

A starter since the beginning of this 2026 World Cup, Schlotterbeck is a key piece in Germany’s setup. A prolonged absence would force Nagelsmann to rethink his defensive plans for the rest of the competition. Die Mannschaft now anxiously awaits the results of the MRI scan.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

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