Almost a month before the start of the 23rd edition of the Soccer World Cup in Mexico City, a list of illustrious figures summarizes the final casualties of the tournament, while others are in a race against time.
Ligament injuries or fractures have been the main reason why several stars will not play in FIFA’s top competition.
Among those absent are Rodrygo and Éder Militão (Brazil), Juan Foyth (Argentina), Jack Grealish (England), Serge Gnabry (Germany) and Hugo Ekitike (France).
The alarm has gone off with the latest injuries that keep more than one team in suspense.
The players who will miss the 2026 World Cup are:
– Luis Malagón (Mexico)
Luis Malagón, goalkeeper for América and the Mexico national team, suffered an injury to the Achilles tendon in his left leg on March 10 during the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup against Philadelphia Union. He underwent surgery and will be out of action for six to eight months.
– Rodrygo (Brazil)
The Real Madrid Brazilian forward suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn external meniscus in his right knee in the match against Getafe on March 2, which will keep him off the field for several months. The day after his injury, just 100 days before the start of the World Cup, it was confirmed that Rodrygo will be out of the Canarinha.
– Militão (Brazil)
Real Madrid center back Éder Militão underwent surgery last Tuesday in Finland to rupture a tendon in his left femoral biceps and will miss the World Cup. The injury corresponds to a relapse in a previously affected area, which would keep him off the field for four to five months.
– Juan Foyth (Argentina)
The defender of Spanish Villarreal and world champion with Argentina suffered a rupture of his left Achilles tendon on January 24 in a match against Real Madrid. The injury required a recovery of approximately eight months, which sidelined him from the rest of the season in the league and the World Cup.
– Joaquín Panichelli (Argentina)
The French Racing Strasbourg forward tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee in training with the Argentina team on March 26. He underwent surgery and will play again in the following European football season.
– Hugo Ekitike (France)
The Liverpool striker suffered an injury to the Achilles tendon in his right foot while playing in the second leg of the Champions League against PSG. He was injured in the 31st minute of that match, underwent surgery in London and will be out of the field for 9 months.
– Serge Gnabry (Germany)
The Bayern Munich midfielder announced on April 22 that he will miss the World Cup due to an injury to the adductor in his right leg that will keep him out of the field for 3 to 4 months. “As for the dream of playing in the World Cup with the national team, I have to say that unfortunately it is over for me,” said the player. Gnabry was injured on the 15th in the second leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid.
– Jack Grealish (England)
Striker Jack Grealish suffered a stress fracture in his left foot on January 18 while playing for Everton against Aston Villa in the Premier League. The Englishman underwent surgery on February 9 and will miss the remainder of the season and the World Cup.
– Samu Omorodion Aghehowa (Spain)
Porto center forward Samu Omorodion, 21, injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in February during a league match against Sporting. He will be off the playing field for between 7 and 8 months, which prevents his participation in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
– Takumi Minamino (Japan)
The Japanese national team figure suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December 2025 when he was playing with Monaco against Auxerre in the French Cup. The 31-year-old Japanese midfielder was key in the qualifying phase by scoring 4 goals.
– Mohammed Salisu (Ghana)
The 27-year-old Monaco and Ghana central defender suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last January against Olympique, an injury that requires between 6 and 9 months of recovery.
The players who are waiting for a miracle to attend the next 2026 World Cup are:
– Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Lamine Yamal, one of Spain’s stars, suffered an injury to the femoral biceps in his left leg that left him out of the rest of the season with Barcelona. If the deadlines are met, he will reach the World Cup.
– Cristian Romero (Argentina)
‘El Cuti’ Romero, Tottenham defender, is a doubt for the World Cup after suffering an injury on April 13 after colliding with his goalkeeper Antonin Kinski in the match with Sunderland. He tore the collateral ligament in his right knee and will be inactive for 6 to 8 weeks, arriving very poorly or without playing rhythm at the beginning of the tournament.
– Estevão (Brazil)
Chelsea’s Estevão will miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury and is a serious doubt for the World Cup. The 19-year-old forward was injured in the first minutes of the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United on April 18 while doing a sprint. The footballer noticed the discomfort in his leg, asked for a change and left the field with gestures of pain.
– Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Uruguay)
Midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta underwent surgery on his right clavicle in Rio de Janeiro last Thursday, 46 days before Uruguay’s debut in Group H against Saudi Arabia in the World Cup, according to Flamengo. The 31-year-old fractured himself on April 29 after a fall in the Copa Libertadores clash against Estudiantes de La Plata. The estimated recovery time is about 45 days.
– Mikel Merino (Spain)
26-year-old Arsenal midfielder, operated on in February for a stress fracture in his right foot. Four months of absence were estimated, but there is optimism in Spain and it could reach the World Cup.
(With a report from Claudia Aguilar Ramírez, from EFE)
