Germany’s Schlotterbeck ruled out of World Cup due to ankle injury

The German Football Association (DFB) announced on Monday that defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the World Cup after sustaining a left‑ankle ligament injury.

The 26‑year‑old Dortmund player was substituted at half‑time during Germany’s 2‑1 victory over Ivory Coast in Toronto on Saturday. He had previously netted the second goal in Germany’s 7‑1 opening‑match win against Curacao.

The statement added that he “will be sidelined for several months. This was confirmed by medical examinations on Sunday,” and that Schlotterbeck “will remain with the team in the US for the time being.”

Having already secured a spot in the last 32, Germany will play Ecuador in their final group match in New York on Thursday.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Monday, “We’ll really miss Schlotti on the field as an outstanding defender, especially his excellent build‑up play. It could have been his World Cup.”

“We all tried to cheer him up yesterday — luckily, he’s a very positive guy who’s already looking ahead. It’s a good sign that he’s staying here with the team for now, because he has an impact off the field as well.”

“Despite his absence, we’re still very well‑placed in central defence for the World Cup with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw.”

According to the DFB’s timeline, Schlotterbeck will miss the beginning of the upcoming season.

Borussia Dortmund, who finished second in the Bundesliga last season, will play champions Bayern Munich on August 22, with the league campaign starting the following weekend.

“I feel extremely sorry for Nico; he was in really good form and an indispensable part of our national team’s starting line‑up,” Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s sporting director, told the club website.

“It’s a real shame and incredibly tough to take that he’s now out of the World Cup due to injury. But Nico showed last year how he can come back even stronger after an injury.”