Germany’s worst fears have been confirmed. Midfielder Marco Reus has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury against Armenia in a friendly on Friday night, confirmed the DFB today.

Reus suffered a partial tear of the anterior Syndesmosebandes above the left ankle. The 25-year-old is expected to be back to start training only in six to seven weeks.

Germany coach Joachim Löw said, “For him and for us, this is extremely regrettable. Marco was in great shape. He has made an excellent impression in training camp and in the two games against Cameroon and Armenia.”

Regarding the injury, Reus said: “I really do not know how to express in words what I feel — my dream has ended. I’ll come back even stronger than I was. My best wishes are now the team, the whole team, to achieve our goal without me.”

Replacing Reus in the German squad will be defender Shkodran Mustafi, who plays for Sampdoria in Serie A. Mustafi said in an interview on the Sampdoria club website, “I’m playing for Marco [Reus]. He played a great season and hopefully will be fit again soon. For me, it was a wonderful surprise I had this morning in my car that I had brought to the garage where my phone rang, and the coach said it was my turn.”

Reus joins a growing list of international stars who have suffered injuries and will not be playing in the World Cup in Brazil.

SEE MORE — Watch a video of the injury to Marco Reus.