Just days before the World Cup kicks off, the list of injury-related withdrawals keeps growing. Torn cruciate ligaments, Achilles tendon ruptures, fractures—the world’s grandest football showdown will be marked by the absence of several anticipated stars. The toll is merciless. For a growing number of internationals, this World Cup will be a painful footnote, the story of a dream shattered in the operating room. Here’s a round-up of confirmed absentees.
No country has been hit as hard as Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil. Three key players will miss out for the Seleção at the North American tournament. Rodrygo was first, going down on March 3 against Getafe in La Liga with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus in his right knee. The diagnosis was clear: an ACL tear is among the worst injuries a footballer can suffer, with a recovery time of six to twelve months. Having earned 35 caps for the Canarinha, he won’t be making the trip.
Éder Militão compounded Brazil’s defensive woes. The Real Madrid defender suffered a rupture of the biceps femoris in his left thigh and is set to undergo surgery in Finland with Dr. Lasse Lempainen, considered the world’s top specialist for this type of injury. He’s expected to miss at least five months of action. The injury struck during Real Madrid’s win over Alavés at the Bernabéu, and since the end of the 2022 World Cup, Militão has endured nine injuries and three surgeries, totaling more than 600 days sidelined.
Estevão, Brazil’s brightest young prospect, is also sidelined. The Chelsea wonderkid suffered a grade 4 hamstring tear, making his World Cup participation highly unlikely. Blues manager Liam Rosenior confirmed the injury, which struck just as Estevão was sprinting toward goal. Latest updates say he’s very doubtful for the group stage, though a knockout stage return can’t be fully ruled out.
The Netherlands and France each lose a rising star
Xavi Simons is the embodiment of cruel fate. The Dutch attacking midfielder tore his right ACL in a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in late April 2026. On Instagram, the former PSG man poured out his heartbreak: “They say life can be cruel, and today that’s true. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of this makes sense. The World Cup has been ripped away from me.”
Hugo Ekitike was perhaps enjoying his finest season. With 17 goals and 6 assists for Liverpool across all competitions, the forward had even started in the friendly win over Brazil (2-1) in Boston. During the Champions League quarter-final against PSG, Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon after a misstep, collapsing and clutching his right ankle. Didier Deschamps confirmed his withdrawal soon after.
England, Germany, and Spain also hit
Jack Grealish won’t feature in the tournament. The Everton attacking midfielder suffered a stress fracture in his left foot in mid-January and underwent surgery in February, ending his season. Serge Gnabry is another major absentee. The Bayern Munich winger tore his right adductor and will miss the World Cup. He himself announced the news in late April.
Samu Aghehowa was one of the season’s offensive revelations, netting 20 goals in all competitions. Porto confirmed that the Spanish striker tore his right ACL during a clash with Sporting in February 2026. A cruel blow for La Roja.
Japan doubly bereaved since December
The Land of the Rising Sun began suffering well before others. Takumi Minamino ruptured his left ACL during the Coupe de France in December 2025. The midfielder has earned 73 caps and scored 26 goals for Japan.
Wataru Endo, a defensive pillar for Japan for many years, is also ruled out after suffering both knee and ankle injuries. Japan’s injury list is growing alarmingly, with confirmed absences for Minamino and Endo, as well as Yuito Suzuki and Koki Machida.
Other nations affected: Mexico, Argentina, Sweden, USA, Ghana
Luis Ángel Malagón, Mexico’s starting goalkeeper, is out. The Club América shot-stopper ruptured his Achilles tendon during a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Philadelphia Union, collapsing in the first half. His recovery is expected to last six to eight months, potentially paving the way for a surprise return from Guillermo Ochoa for a sixth World Cup.
Juan Foyth, defender for reigning champions Argentina, has suffered a rupture of the left Achilles tendon. The Villarreal defender joins the growing list of players sidelined by this injury in recent months.
Dejan Kulusevski is officially off Sweden’s squad. Coach Graham Potter confirmed he had to make a tough call regarding the forward:
“It was a very tough decision given his contribution over the past year. At the start of the World Cup, it’s impossible to be at your best if you’re not fully fit.”
Johnny Cardoso, defensive midfielder for the United States, is doubtful after a serious right ankle injury suffered in training. Atlético Madrid released a medical statement confirming the bad news: the 24-year-old has a severe sprain with joint damage and will require surgery.
For Ghana, the double absence of Tariq Lamptey and Mohamed Salisu is a huge blow for the Black Stars. Lamptey tore his left ACL last September, just weeks after joining Fiorentina from Brighton. His contract termination by the Florence club confirms he’ll miss out. Salisu, the Monaco defender, tore his left ACL in January.
❌ ABSENCES already confirmed in the 2026 World Cup:▪️🇧🇷 Éder Militão (injury)▪️🇧🇷 Rodrygo (injury)▪️🇧🇷 Estêvão (injury)▪️🇸🇪 Hugo Larsson (option technique)▪️🇸🇪 Roony Bardghji (technical option)▪️🇸🇪 Kulusevski (injury)▪️🇩🇪 Serge Gnabry (injury)▪️🇺🇸 Johnny Cardoso (injury)▪️🇯🇵… pic.twitter.com/dVQxY4jbMD
— FutebolDeTerceira (@FutDeTerceira) May 14, 2026
Counting the withdrawals listed above, at least twenty renowned internationals will miss the tournament either through injury or, in some cases, for sporting reasons—such as Paulo Dybala, left out of Argentina’s squad by the manager.
Piala Dunia 2026
Piala Dunia FIFA 2026 akan menjadi edisi paling revolusioner dalam sejarah sepak bola dunia. Turnamen ini untuk pertama kalinya akan diselenggarakan di tiga negara sekaligus, yaitu Amerika Serikat, Kanada, dan Meksiko. Selain itu, jumlah peserta juga meningkat dari 32 menjadi 48 tim, membuka peluang lebih besar bagi negara-negara dari berbagai konfederasi untuk tampil di panggung global. Format baru ini akan menghadirkan lebih banyak pertandingan, atmosfer kompetisi yang lebih luas, serta jangkauan penonton yang semakin besar di seluruh dunia.
Dengan skala yang jauh lebih besar, FIFA menargetkan turnamen ini sebagai ajang yang tidak hanya kompetitif tetapi juga spektakuler dari sisi teknologi dan pengalaman penonton. Stadion-stadion modern di berbagai kota tuan rumah telah dipersiapkan untuk menghadirkan pertandingan berkelas dunia, didukung oleh inovasi seperti peningkatan sistem VAR dan pengalaman digital bagi fans. diprediksi akan menjadi tonggak baru dalam evolusi sepak bola internasional, memperkuat popularitas olahraga ini sekaligus menciptakan momen-momen bersejarah yang akan dikenang dalam waktu lama.
