With Germany to the 2026 World Cup? What Lennart Karl says about his chances | OneFootball

Lennart Karl is currently experiencing a meteoric rise at FC Bayern – and a World Cup nomination is still on the cards

During a fan club visit to Burgsinn on Sunday, the 17-year-old spoke openly about his chances of taking part in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico and made it clear that dreams are allowed, but expectations are out of place

According to BILD, Karl said of a possible World Cup nomination: „Of course I’d like to go to the World Cup. I have to perform well and then we’ll see at the end whether it works out or not. Going to the World Cup at 17 would be something special. I’m working very hard and then hopefully I’ll be rewarded.“

In addition to the World Cup question, Karl also spoke in Burgsinn about his closest environment within the team. He has built up a close relationship with two team-mates in particular. „I spend the most time with Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic,“ explained the youngster. At the same time, he consciously learns things from established players. „But I also learn a lot from Michael Olise and can learn from him: shooting, dribbling.“

Real quote from Karl continues to resonate

photo: IMAGO

However, the fan club visit also caused a stir recently – mainly because of another, very open statement. Karl had admitted that Real Madrid was his long-term dream club. „FC Bayern is a very big club. It’s a dream to play there. But I definitely want to go to Real Madrid one day. That’s my dream club, but we’ll keep that between us. Of course, Bayern is something very special and it’s a lot of fun,“ he had said

This honesty provoked mixed reactions from many Bayern fans. However, his longing for Real did not come out of the blue. At the age of ten, Karl completed a trial training session with the Whites, including sessions at the Santiago Bernabéu. A transfer did not materialise at the time because the family consciously decided against it

Today, Karl benefits from this path. Via Viktoria Aschaffenburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, his path led him to FC Bayern in 2022, where he recommended himself with impressive numbers in the youth sector and has been indispensable since his professional debut at the 2025 Club World Cup at the latest. Six goals, two assists and several historic records in the Champions League speak for themselves.