CHICAGO — A major cloud of uncertainty has fallen over Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, as 18-year-old midfield prodigy Lennart Karl is at risk of missing the tournament following a training injury that landed him in the hospital for urgent diagnostic scans on Friday. The young talent, who enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 season with Bayern Munich that cemented his status as one of the most exciting young prospects in world football, made club history earlier this campaign when he became the youngest goalscorer in Bayern Munich’s Champions League history. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann shared grim updates on Karl’s condition Friday evening, speaking to reporters ahead of Germany’s final pre-tournament warm-up match against the United States scheduled for Saturday. “Unfortunately Lenni injured himself today in training. We need to wait on what happens with that, and to be honest, it didn’t look so good,” Nagelsmann told assembled media. The German boss added that both the player and the team’s technical staff are still processing the unexpected development, with a formal diagnosis pending before any final decisions are made. “He needs to process the situation, we do too, and we’ll see what we do. We need a diagnosis for that, and then we’ll inform you. Then we’ll see if we can hopefully keep going with him for the tournament or if I need to nominate a replacement,” Nagelsmann explained. Under current FIFA World Cup regulations, Nagelsmann retains the right to name a replacement player if Karl is ruled out with a serious injury, with the window for substitutions remaining open until 24 hours before kickoff of Germany’s opening group stage match. That opening fixture is scheduled for June 14 against Curacao, a first-time World Cup qualifier making its tournament debut. For German football fans, the potential absence of Karl is a devastating blow, as the teenager was widely expected to bring fresh energy and creative spark to the national side’s midfield line in what is already one of the most anticipated international tournaments of the last four years. Follow the latest coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at AP News’ dedicated tournament hub.