Soccer-Childhood dream comes true as Ouedraogo gets late Germany World Cup call-up


Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Slovakia - Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany - November 17, 2025 Germany's Assan Ouedraogo celebrates scoring their sixth goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

June 6 (Reuters) - Midfielder Assan ⁠Ouedraogo was on holiday in Marbella when he received the ⁠call to join the Germany World Cup squad following Lennart ‌Karl's injury, and the 20-year-old said on Saturday that it was a childhood dream come true.

Karl sustained a muscle tear in training ahead of Saturday's friendly game against the ​United States in Chicago, and manager Julian ⁠Nagelsmann turned to the RB ⁠Leipzig player.

"I got the call from the national coach on Friday evening ⁠while ‌on holiday," Ouedraogo said in an interview on his club website.

"When Julian Nagelsmann told me I was now part of ⁠the squad, I needed a moment to take it ​in and realise ‌what had happened before going and packing my things straight ⁠away."

Ouedraogo has made ​one appearance for Germany when he was also drafted into the squad to replace an injured player, Nadiem Amiri, and came off the bench to ⁠score the last goal in a 6-0 ​win over Slovakia in November in their final qualifier.

"It's a huge honour and makes me very proud to represent Germany at the World Cup," Ouedraogo ⁠said.

"A childhood dream of mine has come true, one I have worked hard for, especially over the past few months and years.

"At the same time, I would like to wish Lenny a speedy and ​full recovery. I feel very sorry for him ⁠that he got injured so close to the tournament and can't be ​involved."

Germany, whose last World Cup trophy came ‌in 2014, begin their Group E campaign ​against Curacao on June 14 in Houston before facing the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

(Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis)

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