The 2026 World Cup is already over for Lennart Karl before the first match. The FC Bayern shooting star suffered a torn muscle bundle shortly before the start of the tournament. However, the injury could not only affect the national team, but also Munich’s preparations for the new season
The hopes of a World Cup fairytale with Lennart Karl have been dashed. Late on Friday evening, the German Football Association confirmed the feared diagnosis for the 18-year-old. The attacking player suffered a torn muscle bundle in his left front thigh in the final training session before the last test match against the USA
As a result, Karl will not only miss the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but will also be absent from FC Bayern for several weeks. Although the DFB did not provide any specific details on the length of his absence, it is already clear that the injury could have a significant impact on the record champions‘ pre-season preparations
The situation is particularly bitter for Karl, who had developed into one of the biggest winners in recent months – both at FC Bayern and in Julian Nagelsmann’s DFB team
Bayern fears for timely return
From a medical point of view, a torn muscle bundle is a more serious muscle injury that requires significantly more time to heal than a classic torn muscle fiber
Depending on the severity and individual healing process, the downtime for a quadriceps injury is usually between six and twelve weeks
Those responsible in Munich will now be keeping a close eye on the youngster’s development, as he is firmly planned for the coming season and is expected to take the next step in his development under Vincent Kompany
The injury therefore comes at the worst possible time
Race against time for the start of training
According to consistent media reports, FC Bayern will begin preparations for the 2026/27 season on July 20. Whether Karl will be able to return to the training pitch at that time is currently questionable
If his rehabilitation progresses optimally, the attacking player could gradually return to team training towards the end of July. In the worst-case scenario, a return would not even be realistic until the beginning of August
For Karl, this means not only missing out on the World Cup highlight, but possibly also a more difficult start to the new season. The weeks of summer preparation are particularly important for young players in order to position themselves in the competition and lay the foundations for the coming season
Eberl: „Lenny will have all the support he needs at FC Bayern“
Bayern have now also reacted to the serious injury and the World Cup exit: „Missing a World Cup at such short notice is extremely painful, of course, and the news was a shock for the whole of FC Bayern – but it doesn’t change how much talent, passion and future there is in Lenny. He more than deserved this World Cup thanks to his outstanding first professional season,“ says sporting director Max Eberl: „Lenny will receive all the support he needs at FC Bayern to get back on the pitch soon – and we all know that he still has many big tournaments ahead of him. He himself is already looking ahead again and says he will come back stronger. I like that about him, and that’s the spirit that is needed at times like this.“
FC Bayern will now do everything in their power to build up the 18-year-old carefully and not take any unnecessary risks. Those responsible are aware of the enormous potential of the talented attacking player and will make sure that Karl returns fully recovered
Even if this means the World Cup is over for the Bayern youngster, it is unlikely to have a decisive impact on his long-term future. After his impressive rise in recent months, Karl is still regarded as one of the biggest talents in German soccer. The first priority now is to fully recover from the injury and get back on the pitch as quickly as possible.