The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is fast approaching, but a growing list of high-profile injuries is casting a shadow over national team preparations. Managers face daunting decisions as key players battle against time to regain fitness, with some already seeing their tournament dreams shattered.

World Cup dreams shattered for some

Several prominent names have already been ruled out, delivering significant blows to their respective nations. Brazil will be without Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in March, ending any hope of a World Cup comeback. Similarly, France’s Hugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last July, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in April. His recovery is not expected until 2027, completely sidelining him from the tournament despite an impressive season for Liverpool, where he registered 17 goals and six assists across all competitions.

Adding to the list, Tottenham Hotspur’s Xavi Simons confirmed his knee injury sustained at Wolves had ended his Premier League season and would rule him out of the World Cup. “He later said the issue had brought his Premier League season to an end and would rule him out of the World Cup,” BBC Sport reported, quoting Simons directly.

A race against time for key internationals

For many others, the race to be fit for June is a desperate one. Germany’s Marc Andre ter Stegen, the Barcelona goalkeeper, is fighting a long-term hamstring problem, with his chances of being ready for the opening matches reportedly fading. Fellow Real Madrid player Eder Militao, a Brazilian defender, is targeting a World Cup return after a hamstring tear ruled him out for the remainder of his club season, though Brazil’s medical staff are exercising caution. Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, another Tottenham Hotspur player, has been out for over three months with a quad injury that could require surgery, having limped out of a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on January 4.

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Other significant concerns include:

• Reece James (Chelsea, England): Grappling with recurring hamstring issues since a March defeat to Newcastle.
• Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Canada): Battling persistent muscle problems.
• Mikel Merino (Arsenal, Spain): Sidelined since February with a fractured foot, with Spain’s medical staff wary of a premature return.
• Wataru Endo (Liverpool, Japan): Facing a double setback with knee and ankle injuries requiring surgery, sustained in February, which will see him miss the rest of Liverpool’s season.
• Arda Guler (Real Madrid, Turkey): A hamstring injury has ended his domestic season.
• Estevao Willian (Chelsea, Brazil): Recovering from a hamstring tear, he will not feature for Chelsea again this season.

Optimism tempered with caution

Amidst the gloom, there is some hope for a few stars. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, a Spanish prodigy, sustained a hamstring injury while scoring against Celta Vigo on Wednesday. Despite the setback, Barcelona expects him to be fit for the World Cup. Argentina’s Cristian Romero, a Tottenham Hotspur defender, is out for the remainder of the Premier League season with a knee injury after a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during Tottenham’s defeat at Sunderland in April. While optimism surrounds his recovery, concerns persist over his lack of recent match action.

As the World Cup countdown continues, the health of these elite athletes remains a critical factor. National team coaches will be closely monitoring every recovery update, knowing that the absence or limited fitness of even one key player could significantly impact their tournament aspirations.

Sources: www.bbc.com

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