Borussia Dortmund could be without key defender for months after injury at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck could be out for several months after succumbing to a ligament injury during Germany’s clash with Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

According to latest reports, he is set to miss the rest of the tournament for Die Mannschaft but could also be sidelined for the initial few weeks of BVB’s 2026-27 season.

Germany coach Julian Naglesmann admitted that Schlotterbeck will be huge miss for them but also expressed optimism at him bouncing back from this injury setback.

““Schlotti will be a huge miss for us on the pitch as an outstanding defender, especially because of his excellent build-up play. It could have been his World Cup. Fortunately, he is a very positive character who is already looking ahead.””he said.

Schlotterbeck’s absence leaves Germany without one one of their best centre-backs as Naglesmann will be forced into some tactical changes for all their 2026 FIFA World Cup games ahead.

The Borussia Dortmund had started both their games at the tournament so far, against Curacao in a memorable 7-1 shellacking and then in the clash with Ivory Coast too.

However, a collision with Ivorian ace Amad Diallo in the first half left him with discomfort in his ligament. Schlotterbeck tried to continue initially, but was eventually replaced at half-time by Antonio Rudiger.

The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for him, for the defender was coming off the back of a stellar individual campaign for Dortmund and was set to play an instrumental role in Germany’s push for a fifth World Cup title too.

Moreover, he was also linked with several elite European teams in a potential departure from Signal Iduna Park. He had signed a contract extension in February but the inclusion of a release clause left the door open to a move if an appropriate offer came by.

But now that he will miss the opening few weeks of the 2026-27 club season too, it plunges his potential transfer into uncertainty too with Real Madrid being the club that Schlotterbeck was linked to the closest.

Jose Mourinho, who has returned to Madrid for a second stint, is reportedly a fan of his and wanted to bring him to Santiago Bernabeu while Premier League giants Liverpool were also linked with the German.

Blessed with great composure on the ball and game-reading ability, Schlotterbeck had established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues while also posing a goalscoring threat from set-pieces.