Emre Can Out for Season with ACL Tear, World Cup Hopes Dashed

Emre Can's world cup hopes ended by knee injury

Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can suffers ACL injury in loss to Bayern Munich, ending his season and World Cup hopes.

“Emre's injury is extremely bitter. Not just for him, but for all of us...”

Borussia Dortmund's captain Emre Can is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear in Saturday's loss to Bayern Munich. Scans confirmed the injury, which will keep him out for an extended period.

Dortmund confirmed the news, stating Can's season is over. The club faces a tough run without their captain, with key matches ahead. 

Dortmund's Emre Can clutched his left knee in pain after a clash with Bayern's Konrad Laimer just before half-time. He played on briefly but was quickly subbed off, sparking fears of a serious injury.

Dortmund's worst fears were confirmed post-match, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl revealing a serious knee injury.

“Emre's injury is extremely bitter. Not just for him, but for all of us.”

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

“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.”

Emre Can joined Dortmund in 2020 and was made captain in 2023, but his contract expires this summer. The ACL tear dashes his hopes of making Germany's World Cup squad this summer.

Can, 32, has 48 caps for Germany, scoring twice, but hadn't played internationally since Sept 2024.