Injury curse? See which players are out of the cup with injuries

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OneFootball

·24 April 2026

Injury curse? See which players are out of the cup with injuries

Less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America, the final stretch of the club season has turned into a real nightmare for several national teams.

The physical toll caused by the European schedule has already confirmed the definitive withdrawal of some of the biggest names in world football, while other stars are racing against the clock in the medical department.

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The Brazilian national team suffered one of its hardest blows with the loss of Rodrygo.

The Real Madrid forward tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee in March and will need six to seven months of recovery.

The current world champion, Argentina, also has confirmed absences: Joaquín Panichelli (knee ligament rupture) and center-back Juan Foyth (Achilles tendon rupture).

In Europe, Germany was also dealt a heavy blow with Serge Gnabry’s injury.

The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder tore the adductor muscle in his right thigh during training and will be out for at least three months.

Another World Cup-winning national team with a confirmed absence is France.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitiké suffered an Achilles tendon injury two months before the World Cup.

One of the host nations, Mexico, lost starting goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, from Club América, also due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Check out the players who are out of the World Cup

Rodrygo (Brazil)

Joaquín Panichelli (Argentina)

Juan Foyth (Argentina)

Samu Aghehowa (Spain)

Jack Grealish (England)

Hugo Ekitike (France)

Jerdy Schouten (Netherlands)

Takumi Minamino (Japan)

Patrick Agyemang (United States)

Gnabry (Germany)

Malagón (Mexico)

Trio raises concern

In addition to the definitive absences, coaching staffs are on maximum alert over players who were recently injured and have become doubtful just weeks before the final squad announcements:

Estêvão (Brazil): The young Chelsea forward suffered a serious injury to his right thigh less than a month before coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad announcement. The Brazilian is still deciding what medical treatment approach to take in an attempt at the “miracle” of being fit for the World Cup.
Lamine Yamal (Spain): Barcelona’s 18-year-old prodigy injured his left thigh last Wednesday (22) against Celta de Vigo. The Catalan club has already confirmed that he is out for the rest of the European season. Despite the scare, Spain’s staff hopes he will recover in time to travel to North America.
Éder Militão (Brazil): The Real Madrid center-back has been dealing with physical problems and fatigue in the final stretch of La Liga, and he has also had an injury confirmed. Although it appears to be less serious, the situation requires caution.

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