According to GIVEMESPORT, USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, 24, will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a right ankle injury that requires surgery. The news comes as a significant blow to the national team and coach Mauricio Pochettino, who faces an imminent deadline to submit his preliminary squad for the tournament.

Cardoso sustained a “high-grade sprain with joint involvement” during training last Thursday, an injury confirmed by an Atletico Madrid statement. The Spanish club detailed the extent of the trauma, which will sideline the midfielder for the remainder of the current season.

An Atletico Madrid statement confirmed: “The midfielder suffered a trauma in training last Thursday that triggered a high-grade sprain with joint involvement.” The club also extended their support, adding, “We send you lots of encouragement and strength, Johnny, and wish you a speedy and full recovery from your injury.”

A significant blow for USMNT

Cardoso’s absence is a major setback for the USMNT, who are aiming to achieve their best-ever performance at the 2026 World Cup under Pochettino’s guidance. The tournament is set to kick off on June 11th in Mexico.

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The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Pochettino, who must submit a 55-man preliminary squad to FIFA today. Cardoso, previously described as ‘extraordinary’ by TeamTalk, would have been a strong contender for a spot in that initial selection.

Pochettino’s midfield conundrum

While the USMNT boasts an abundance of high-level talent in midfield, Cardoso’s unavailability, coupled with fellow USMNT player Patrick Agyemang also being ruled out due to a ruptured Achilles, creates a challenge for Pochettino. The coach still has strong options at his disposal, including:

• Tyler Adams

• Yunus Musah

• Tanner Tessmann

However, the depth will be tested. GIVEMESPORT, consulting ChatGPT for potential replacements, suggested several names who could fill the void left by Cardoso. These include Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman, Jack McGlynn, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Obed Vargas.

As Pochettino finalizes his preliminary squad, the focus will now shift to how he plans to navigate these significant injuries and ensure the USMNT remains competitive for their ambitious World Cup campaign.

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Sources: www.givemesport.com

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