The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, faces increased challenges as injuries mount for key soccer players. Lionel Messi, a top figure in international soccer, joins this growing list. During a recent Major League Soccer match for Inter Miami, Messi left the field with a potential hamstring issue.
While some players like Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah have successfully recovered, others remain sidelined. Spain’s promising player, Lamine Yamal, also contends with a muscle injury, though he is expected to recover in time for the tournament. Unfortunately, others cannot say the same. France striker Hugo Ekitike, for example, faces a lengthy recovery from an Achilles injury, affecting his World Cup participation and potentially the start of his next season with Liverpool.
Brazil’s stars Rodrygo and Éder Militão, along with Germany’s Serge Gnabry, also face exclusion from the tournament due to injuries. These developments underscore concerns expressed by players and coaches about the demanding schedules. Competitions like the expanded World Cup and Club World Cup, alongside an enlarged Champions League, strain player limits. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, recently highlighted the danger of such a packed calendar.
Definite Absences From the World Cup
A number of players are confirmed absent from the World Cup:
- Argentina: Joaquín Panichelli (ACL)
- Brazil: Éder Militão (hamstring), Rodrygo (ACL)
- England: Ben White (medial ligament)
- France: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles)
- Germany: Serge Gnabry (adductor)
- Netherlands: Xavi Simons (ACL)
- United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles)
Players to Monitor
Some players face uncertainty regarding their World Cup participation:
- Algeria: Goalkeeper Luca Zidane deals with a facial injury after a collision.
- Argentina: Cristian Romero has a knee issue with no set return time from Tottenham.
- Canada: Alphonso Davies faces a hamstring injury sustained during a Champions League match.
- Croatia: Luka Modrić, now recovered from a cheekbone fracture, and Joško Gvardiol, back after a leg break, look set to contribute.
- Morocco: Achraf Hakimi recovers from a thigh injury.
- United States: Johnny Cardoso manages an ankle sprain, and Chris Richards is healing from an ankle ligament tear.