• Ballack unavailable after challenge from Kevin-Prince Boateng • Midfielder says he is 'angry' to miss the World Cup

Germany's captain Michael Ballack says he is angry after being ruled out of the World Cup with the ankle injury he sustained playing in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth.

The German Football Federation (DFB) has confirmed the injury, which occurred as his ankle buckled after a tackle from Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng. Although Ballack tried to play on, he was forced to come off the field before the half-time interval. He left Wembley with his leg in a protective boot. The 33-year-old underwent an MRI scan in Munich this morning to assess the damage, and the scan showed ligament damage to his right ankle.

"It's very disappointing, but I have to accept it," said Ballack. "It's football and you have to live with it… I am angry, clearly."

Germany's coach, Joachim Löw, has been left without one of his most experienced players and he admits Ballack's absence will be a setback.

"We are shocked, no question about it, and we are all very, very sad," Löw said at the team's training camp in Sicily. "He is a very important player for us, a world class player who played a very important role in decisive games for us. There can be no question of resignation now. We are sure we can still play a good tournament."

The German football federation said that the scan revealed a tear to the medial collateral ligament of Ballack's right ankle. The midfielder is currently in plaster and will have to wear a special shoe for two weeks. The earliest he is expected back in training is in eight weeks.

Germany's former manager, Rudi Völler, joined those bemoaning Ballack's loss. "It's brutal, terrible for Michael. He was full of optimism and wanted to play a good World Cup," he said. "There are players in the team who can't be replaced and Michael Ballack is certainly one of them ."