Substituted injured
Shortly before the World Cup: Worries about national striker Havertz
April 25, 2026 – 7:31 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Kai Havertz plays a big role in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup plans. But now there is reason to worry.
Kai Havertz only celebrated his comeback to the German national team in March after being unavailable for over a year due to injury. Now the offensive man is experiencing a bitter setback.
In the league game between Arsenal and Newcastle United, Havertz went down after half an hour without any opposition and repeatedly grabbed the inside of his left thigh. The German had to be treated, but it quickly became clear: things couldn’t go any further for him.
Havertz crept off the pitch – but at least he was still independent. Viktor Gyökeres came on for him. There is no initial diagnosis yet, but just a month and a half before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the substitution is cause for concern.
Thomas Hitzlsperger classified the situation as an expert during the live broadcast on Sky. “Another injury – you come back, play a few games and then you’re injured again. You gradually lose confidence in your body,” said the former national player. Commentator Florian Schmidt-Sommerfeld also made it clear: “That can’t be true, that’s a hard blow. Julian Nagelsmann needs it.”
Havertz has struggled with several major injuries since 2025. A thigh injury initially took him out of action for several months, and the 26-year-old only returned in the season finale. Another setback followed in the summer: a knee injury cost Havertz the entire first half of the season. In February he was out again for almost two weeks due to a muscle injury, but has been in improving form since then.
