Injuries leave superstars set to miss World Cup 2026, including Chelsea and Liverpool gems | OneFootball

A raft of elite players look set to miss the World Cup this summer because of injuries. The expanded finals start on 11 June with 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the USA, where Mexico meet South Africa in the opener.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Brazil could be hit hard. Rodrygo is out after an ACL tear in March and Eder Militao is to have hamstring surgery, ruling him out. Chelsea’s Estevao has a hamstring issue, will not play again this season for the Blues, and is a doubt, while Barcelona’s Raphinha is expected to be fine.

France have concerns over Kylian Mbappe, who is in a race against time after a hamstring problem. Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike is ruled out, with a ruptured Achilles potentially sidelining him until next year. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah faces around four weeks out with a hamstring injury, so his fitness by mid-June is uncertain.

Spain are sweating on Lamine Yamal, out for the rest of Barcelona’s season with a knee injury yet cautiously tipped to make the finals. Arsenal’s Mikel Merino is still recovering from a right foot stress fracture sustained in January.

England’s main doubt is Reece James, who is expected to return for Chelsea before the season ends. Germany are without Serge Gnabry because of an adductor issue and await clarity on Kai Havertz’s upper leg problem.

The Netherlands will not have Xavi Simons after an ACL rupture against Wolves. Argentina hope Cristian Romero can shake off a knee injury, though Juan Foyth and Joaquin Panichelli are out. Croatia’s Luka Modric may need a mask after a fractured cheekbone at AC Milan, Ghana lose Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus, and Japan are without Takumi Minamino, with Liverpool’s Wataru Endo making progress from an ankle injury.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk