Karl’s call-up had already felt like one of the stories of Germany’s build-up. The teenage attacking midfielder appears to have forced his way into the conversation with a rapid breakthrough at Bayern Munich, earning a place many more experienced players would have expected to claim.
That is why this setback lands so heavily. The update says Karl was taken for further checks, with his place at the tournament now in real doubt. For a young player on the verge of the biggest moment of his career, it is a brutal interruption.
Nagelsmann’s message was careful but clear: Germany need a diagnosis before deciding whether Karl can stay with the squad or whether somebody else must come in. That uncertainty is awkward timing.
For a coach trying to sharpen chemistry and settle roles, late injuries can distort everything from bench options to tactical flexibility.
This is not a squad entering the tournament with luxury to spare. Germany are chasing a strong run after painful recent World Cup exits, and every decision around the final squad will be scrutinised. Karl may not have been the headline star, but his emergence brought freshness and unpredictability.
The next step is simple: wait for the scans, then see whether Nagelsmann must rethink his plans before the friendly with the United States and, beyond that, the opening group-stage test against Curacao.