Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck could miss the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after team doctors reportedly identified a suspected ankle ligament tear following the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. He twisted his ankle early in the match, played on until halftime, and was then substituted.
Schlotterbeck returned to Germany’s base in Winston-Salem and is undergoing an MRI scan today. The results will determine the severity of the injury, but early assessments from medical staff have raised serious concerns that his tournament may already be over.
Germany have already qualified for the knockout stages, but losing one of their first-choice centre-backs would be a major blow ahead of the Round of 32.
⏳ MRI results are expected later today.
