Lars Bender ruled out of Germany's World Cup campaign with thigh injury

Germany have confirmed that midfielder Lars Bender will miss next month's World Cup in Brazil due to a thigh injury.

The 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player was originally included in Joachim Low's provisional squad for the tournament.

However, German officials have released a statement claiming that Bender has been forced to pull out just two days after the squad arrived at a training camp in Italy.

Germany, who have won the World Cup three times, will face Portugal, Ghana and the United States in the group phase.