Germany's Bender to miss the World Cup

Lars Bender's bid to play for Germany at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil ended prematurely after the midfielder suffered a thigh injury during training Thursday, the team announced.

With the decision to withdraw from the squad coming just a few weeks before the tournament kicks off, Germany manager Joachim Low sympathizes with the 25-year-old.

"It is disappointing for everyone when a player suffers an injury that close to the tournament. I am really sorry for Lars," Low said.

"I know he absolutely wanted to make it to Brazil. He is a role model on and off the pitch."

Bender, who appeared in 28 matches for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga last season, misses out on his first World Cup after being capped 17 times for Germany throughout his international career.

Bender's injury adds to the long list of German players who are struggling to regain fitness before the tournament. His brother Sven was ruled out with a groin injury, while two of the team's most important members, captain Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer, have yet to appear at the team's training base in Italy due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Mario Gomez and Ilkay Gundogan were left off the team after injury-plagued seasons in the Bundesliga ruined their opportunity for inclusion.

Tough break for Germany, but good news for their Group C opponents, USA, Portugal and Ghana.