Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can is set to miss the remainder of the season and the 2026 World Cup after suffering a devastating ACL tear against Bayern Munich.
The fallout from Borussia Dortmund’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich has gone from bad to worse. On Sunday, Dortmund officially confirmed that captain Emre Can will miss the remainder of the 2026 campaign after scans revealed a torn ACL in his left knee.
Unfortunate news to end the weekend. Emre Can sustained a cruciate ligament tear in his left knee during the match against Bayern.
ℹ️ https://t.co/UTmPtr9Qak pic.twitter.com/3nxUBj2qC2
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) March 1, 2026
The injury occurred during a tussle with Bayern’s Konrad Laimer just before the halftime whistle. In a display of his trademark grit, Can attempted to play through the pain for several minutes after clutching his knee, but the discomfort eventually became too much to ignore.
He was forced to signal to the bench and was withdrawn, leaving the Signal Iduna Park in a state of nervous silence as he headed down the tunnel.
Dortmund’s medical staff feared the worst immediately after the match, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl confirmed those fears on Sunday afternoon. The club’s statement emphasized that Can would be out for an “extended period” as he begins the long road to recovery. Kehl described the situation as “extremely bitter,” noting that Can’s absence would be felt deeply across the entire organization.
“He is our captain, always puts the team first and is an important part of our club. Emre will receive all our support in the coming months so that he can make a full recovery,” Kehl stated in the official club announcement.
The timing of the injury is particularly complicated due to Can’s current contract situation. The 32-year-old is entering the final months of his deal, which is set to expire this summer. This ACL tear puts a significant question mark over his future at the club, as both the player and the board must now decide how to handle negotiations while he is in the midst of a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Beyond the domestic scene, the injury has also crushed Can’s hopes of representing Germany at the 2026 World Cup. Although he had not featured for the national team since September 2024, a strong finish to the season could have put the 48-cap veteran back in the conversation for a spot in the squad. Now, instead of competing on the world stage, he will spend his summer in the gym and the treatment room.
