Nico Schlotterbeck out of Germany's Ivory Coast FIFA World Cup match with ankle injury
(Courtesy : Getty)
Nico Schlotterbeck rolled his ankle while attempting a challenge on Amad Diallo.
Germany suffered an early injury crisis in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E clash against Ivory Coast at BMO Field in Toronto. Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck suffered a suspected ankle injury in the early stages of the game and had to be brought off at half-time.
The incident happened in the 15th minute of the Matchday 2 fixture. Schlotterbeck attempted a challenge on Ivory Coast attacker Amad Diallo and seemed to roll his left ankle. The defender was in serious pain and was taken to the touchline to be tended to by the medical staff.
After a lengthy period of treatment, he came back on the pitch, looking to continue for as long as possible. The Borussia Dortmund man managed to play the remainder of the first half at the heart of the German defence, which conceded a goal at the half-hour mark from Franck Kessie.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Injuries & Replacements: Full list of players ruled out
Rudiger comes in
Antonio Rudiger was sent to warm up by Julian Nagelsmann the moment Schlotterbeck asked for medical attention. The Real Madrid centre-back was substituted in place of his injured compatriot at half-time, slotting into central defence along with Jonathan Tah.
The German bench will be hoping that Schlotterbeck’s injury is not serious. The 26-year-old has had a tough time with injuries in the last couple of years. He missed the end of the 2024-25 season, during which he was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, with a serious ankle injury. This incident also ruled him out of the FIFA Club World Cup.
If Schlotterbeck’s injury prevents him from playing a part in Germany’s next group-stage game against Ecuador, Rudiger will likely come into the starting lineup. Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw are other options that Nagelsmann can count on.
What happened to Nico Schlotterbeck vs Ivory Coast?
Schlotterbeck rolled his left ankle while attempting a challenge on Amad Diallo in the 15th minute and was substituted at half‑time.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.