Germany D Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle) out for World Cup

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Mon 22nd June, 10:48 2026
June 12, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.; Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck during training.  Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images June 12, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.; Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck during training. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup with an ankle injury.

Schlotterbeck sustained a medial ankle ligament injury in Saturday's 2-1 win against Ivory Coast in Toronto.

The 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund center-back was replaced at halftime by Antonio Rudiger.


Schlotterbeck will remain in the U.S. with his teammates but is expected to be sidelined for several months.

"It was remarkable that he managed to carry on until halftime," head coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Sunday, per The Athletic.

Schlotterbeck had started both matches and scored in a 7-1 win over Curacao in the Group E opener on June 14.

Germany (2-0-0, 6 points) have already clinched Group E and qualified for the knockout stage heading into Thursday's group stage finale against Ecuador in East Rutherford, N.J.


--Field Level Media

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