Overview

• Rudi Völler said Monday that Kai Havertz will miss Germany’s September qualifiers against Slovakia on September 4 and Northern Ireland in Cologne on September 7.
• Völler noted it remains undecided whether the knee problem will require an operation or be treated conservatively.
• Havertz featured for 30 minutes in Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Manchester United but sat out the subsequent 5-0 win at Leeds due to the knee issue.
• The 26-year-old missed much of last season after surgery for a knee tendon injury and last played for Germany in November 2024 in Hungary.
• Coach Julian Nagelsmann had planned to use him at the start of qualifying, with a longer absence possible depending on the medical plan.