Mounting Injuries Among Soccer Stars Ahead of World Cup 2026

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May 28, 2026
Professional Sports Sports

As the next month’s World Cup approaches, injuries among top soccer players are increasing. Lionel Messi is now among the concerns, adding to an already substantial list that includes Lamine Yamal.

Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah have returned from injuries. Their recovery brings some relief ahead of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Yet now, attention is on Messi. He exited the field during a game for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, reaching for his left hamstring.

Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, missed the closing weeks of Barcelona’s season due to a muscle injury in his left leg. He is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup.

Others are less fortunate. France’s Hugo Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury in April. His recovery is expected to extend beyond six months, keeping him out of the World Cup and likely delaying the next season with Liverpool.

Brazilian players Rodrygo and Éder Militão are confirmed absentees. Bayern Munich and Germany’s Serge Gnabry also sustained an adductor injury, ruling him out.

Players and coaches have raised concerns about the intense schedules that soccer players face. Expanded events like the World Cup and the Club World Cup add to their workload. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted these demands, suggesting they are an ‘accident waiting to happen.’

With the tournament nearing, players face the challenge of avoiding injury while on the field.

General view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage was seen at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Luke Hales / Getty Images

Players Ruled Out of the World Cup:

Argentina: Joaquín Panichelli (ACL)
Brazil: Éder Militão (hamstring), Rodrygo (ACL)
England: Ben White (medial ligament)
France: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles)
Germany: Serge Gnabry (adductor)
Netherlands: Xavi Simons (ACL)
United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles)

Ones to Watch:

Algeria: Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France’s Zinedine Zidane, remains doubtful with a facial injury from a recent on-field collision.
Argentina: Cristian Romero has a knee injury. Tottenham has not provided a recovery timeline.
Canada: Alphonso Davies sustained a hamstring injury shortly before the tournament, after been injured in a Champions League match with Bayern Munich.
Croatia: Luka Modrić returned to action after recovering from a cheekbone fracture. Joško Gvardiol also resumed training following a broken leg.
Morocco: Defender Achraf Hakimi is out with a right thigh injury.
United States: Midfielder Johnny Cardoso sprained his right ankle during training, while Chris Richards suffered torn ligaments in his ankle playing for Crystal Palace.