Just days before the FIFA World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina have been dealt a major blow as star forward Haris Tabakovic has reportedly sustained a serious injury that could rule him out of the tournament.

As per reports from Klix.ba, a leading news outlet in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Borussia Mönchengladbach striker suffered a broken ankle during the final Bundesliga fixture against TSG Hoffenheim.

The 31-year-old may now need surgery, which could keep him out of action for anywhere between three and six months. Should the medical assessment confirm the initial diagnosis, Tabakovic’s hopes of representing his nation at the World Cup will be dashed.

The injury occurred in the 72nd minute of the match when Tabakovic twisted his left ankle. Mönchengladbach manager Eugen Polanski explained after the game, “We had to substitute him because of the injury. We’re still hoping it’s not too severe and doesn’t endanger his World Cup participation.”

Before this setback, Tabakovic had been enjoying a remarkable season. Despite Borussia Mönchengladbach’s battle against relegation, he managed to score 15 goals and deliver three assists in 35 competitive appearances. In the World Cup qualifying campaign, he added four more goals, including a crucial equaliser in the 1-1 play-off final against Italy.

However, this lengthy injury layoff could significantly disrupt his career trajectory. Tabakovic is currently on loan at Mönchengladbach from his parent club TSG Hoffenheim, with his contract running until 2027.

It remains uncertain whether he will have a long-term future with Hoffenheim. Sporting director Andreas Schicker commented after the heavy defeat against Mönchengladbach, saying, “It was the right call to go for the one-year loan. We had a good conversation in July. Haris wanted more minutes, and he’s done an excellent job at Mönchengladbach. He’ll return now, and we’ll assess the situation after the World Cup. We’ll have more matches next season, and Haris brings a skill set we currently lack in the squad. However, since he’ll be entering the final year of his contract this summer, we’ll need to evaluate all options.”

His impressive performances have reportedly drawn attention from other Bundesliga sides. VfL Wolfsburg are among the clubs keeping tabs on him, particularly if they manage to retain their top-flight status by defeating SC Paderborn in the relegation play-off.