Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa’s Villarreal race to make the World Cup | OneFootball

With the World Cup looming, Villarreal’s Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa are racing the clock after major summer injuries. Both hope to return before the season ends to strengthen their selection chances.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Costa tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on 19 July 2025 against Basel. Kambwala tore a left hamstring on 31 July 2025 versus Genoa in Oviedo. Their shared target was to be fully ready for the summer.

The club saw them as present and future in 2024/25, only for pre-season to derail plans. If Villarreal clinch Champions League qualification early, Marcelino could rotate more in the run-in.

Kambwala, 21, has spoken of a World Cup dream while accepting fitness must come first. He received medical clearance on 11 March 2026 after surgery, has been in squads but not yet played, and could get minutes on Thursday at the Tartiere, where he was hurt. DR Congo’s historic play-off progress has sharpened his appetite to return.

Costa is training with team-mates but still needs time to regain rhythm and minimise risk. If he makes it, he could face Spain in Cape Verde’s World Cup opener on 15 June in Atlanta. As a pivotal figure, he might be called even if not at 100%.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo