According to the latest update, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off June 11, will be affected by a string of injuries that have already sidelined several notable players or left others racing to recover in time.
Brazil will be without Estêvão after he suffered a torn hamstring pulling up against Manchester United in April; an initial two-week prognosis proved optimistic and he was left off Brazil’s preliminary squad. Real Madrid forward Rodrygo sustained a torn ACL and meniscus in March against Getafe and is likely out for the remainder of 2026. The losses present a selection headache for manager Carlo Ancelotti, though Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha remain available and Neymar was added to the preliminary squad in Estêvão’s place.
Germany will be missing Serge Gnabry after an adductor tear in mid-April that ruled him out for the rest of the season and the World Cup. Gnabry had featured heavily across qualifying and the March friendlies. His absence could open a starting role for Jamal Musiala and bolster the chances of Bayern youngster Lennart Karl. The Netherlands lost Xavi Simons to an ACL tear late in April during Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Wolves; that development strengthens Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders in the playmaking role and may create an opportunity for Justin Kluivert as he returns from a four-month knee issue.
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma suffered a torn hamstring in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolves and did not make the final squad after the medical team assessed it would be difficult for him to regain fitness during the tournament, coach Hajime Moriyasu said. Mitoma had scored the winner in Japan’s March victory over England. France forward Hugo Ekitiké tore his Achilles during Liverpool’s 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in April; he had scored in both the November and March international windows and was in contention for Les Bleus, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Corentin Tolisso mentioned as potential alternatives.
