WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina — Germany’s FIFA World Cup campaign has suffered a major blow, as national team defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the rest of the tournament and an extended period of club action after picking up a serious left ankle injury during Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast.
The German Football Federation confirmed Monday that follow-up medical assessments conducted Sunday at the national team’s training base in Winston-Salem uncovered a tear to the ankle’s medial ligament. The injury, which will sideline the Borussia Dortmund center-back for multiple months, brings an early end to his first World Cup run. Schlotterbeck had started in both of Germany’s opening two group-stage matches.
Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of the German national side, expressed clear disappointment over the untimely injury, noting that Schlotterbeck — nicknamed “Schlotti” among teammates — has been an irreplaceable asset both in defense and in building attacking play from the backline. “This was shaping up to be his breakthrough tournament, his World Cup,” Nagelsmann said. “The whole squad has been supporting him since the injury happened, and we’re glad he has such a positive mindset that he’s already focused on his recovery.”
In an unexpected turn, Schlotterbeck will remain with the German squad for the duration of the World Cup despite being unable to play. Nagelsmann emphasized that the 24-year-old still brings significant value to the team off the pitch, saying his continued presence in the camp is a major boost for the group.
The coach also moved quickly to reassure fans that Germany remains well-staffed at the center-back position for their knockout stage run, naming four available defenders ready to step into the gap: Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw.
Saturday’s win over Ivory Coast has already locked Germany’s place in the tournament knockout rounds, with one group-stage match still to play. The four-time World Cup champion has officially secured first place in Group E ahead of their final group fixture against Ecuador, scheduled for Thursday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.