Five high-profile players ruled out of the World Cup due to injuries | OneFootball

A number of high-profile stars are set to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to injuries.

Picking up an injury at this stage of the season is a nightmare for players, many of whom are only a couple of months away from representing their nation in the biggest football tournament.

Several players have already been ruled out for the rest of the season, but could still recover in time to play in the World Cup.

However, Sports Central takes a look at five players who have already seen their dreams of playing in the World Cup fade into despair.

Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool/France

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles tendon 30 minutes into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

That setback has ruled him out until late 2026 and potentially into early 2027, officially ending his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off in visible distress during the 2-0 defeat against the reigning champions, with France head coach Didier Deschamps later confirming his World Cup fate.

Ekitike has been a crucial player for Liverpool since his big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, notching 17 goals and six assists in 45 games across all competitions.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid/Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti will not be able to call on one of Brazil’s brightest attacking talents at the World Cup, with Rodrygo ruled out due to a serious knee injury.

The Real Madrid forward suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee during Los Blancos’ narrow 1-0 defeat to Getafe in early March.

Coming off the bench in that match, Rodrygo’s appearance quickly turned into a nightmare, with the injury now set to keep him sidelined until further notice.

In an emotional message shared online, the 25-year-old described the setback as one of the “worst days of my life” as he’ll be forced to cheer his countrymen from the sidelines.

Rodrygo wasn’t having the best season before his injury, but he remains a key player for club and country.

Xavi Simons – Tottenham Hotspur/Netherlands

Tottenham Hotspur finally secured their first victory in 2026 against already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it came at a heavy cost.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side claimed a 1-0 victory, but the celebrations were dampened by Xavi Simons’ season-ending injury just before the hour mark.

The Dutch playmaker went down clutching his knee in serious pain and had to be stretchered off.

It was later confirmed that he had ruptured his ACL. Simons is expected to undergo surgery as part of his recovery, effectively ending his dream of representing the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Simons has won 34 caps for the Dutch national team, scoring six goals. 

Serge Gnabry – Bayern Munich/Germany

Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry has also been ruled out of the World Cup in a massive blow to Julian Nagelsmann and the German national team.

The 30-year-old has been ruled out due to an adductor injury in his right thigh.

Gnabry shared the news himself, posting on Instagram that his “World Cup dream is over,” while Bayern confirmed that he’s facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines without offering a timeframe on his potential return.

The former Arsenal star has won 59 caps for Germany and played in his first World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

He played a prominent role in Germany’s qualifier campaign and had bagged 10 goals and 11 assists in 37 games before his latest setback.

Eder Militao – Real Madrid/Brazil

Madrid centre-back Eder Militao will also miss the World Cup after undergoing surgery on his left leg to correct a serious hamstring problem.

Militao had already been ruled out for the rest of the season, but there were hopes that he could recover in time to represent Brazil at the World Cup.

The 28-year-old initially weighed up a less invasive option, which could have seen him return to action in just over a month. But it came with a significantly higher risk of relapse.

Militao ultimately decided to have the surgery, which will now keep him out of action for at least six months.