The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching. But for a growing number of football’s biggest stars, the dream is over before a ball has been kicked. As the European season reaches its conclusion, a brutal toll of Achilles ruptures, ACL tears and hamstring failures has ripped through the global game.
Here are 10 stars confirmed to miss World Cup through injury
Confirmed World Cup absentees
Hugo Ekitike (France) – The Liverpool striker crumpled to the turf in the first half of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to PSG on April 14. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon and faces up to nine months out.
Rodrygo (Brazil) – The Real Madrid forward suffered an ACL rupture and lateral meniscus tear in his right knee on March 2. Recovery time is 10-12 months.
Xavi Simons (Netherlands) – The Tottenham midfielder ruptured his ACL during a 1-0 win at Wolves on April 25. “All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup,” he wrote.
Éder Militão (Brazil) – The Real Madrid centre-back will undergo hamstring surgery, ruling him out for approximately four months.
Serge Gnabry (Germany) – The Bayern winger suffered an adductor muscle tear and will miss the tournament.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA) – The Celtic defender ruptured his Achilles, a devastating blow for the co-hosts.
Patrick Agyemang (USA) – The Derby County striker’s Achilles injury ends his World Cup hopes.
Juan Foyth (Argentina) – The Villarreal defender ruptured his Achilles in January and will not defend Argentina’s crown.
Anthony Mandrea (Algeria) – The goalkeeper dislocated his shoulder in training and will undergo surgery.
Mohammed Salisu (Ghana) – The AS Monaco centre-back suffered an ACL rupture earlier this year.
Jack Grealish (England) – Reports confirm the creative midfielder will miss out.
Racing against time
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – The Liverpool star picked up an ankle or foot injury in the final weeks of the season. His availability remains unclear.
Kylian Mbappe (France) – Suffered a knee ligament injury at the end of 2025. His status is uncertain.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) – The Barcelona wonderkid clutching his hamstring after scoring a penalty on April 22. He will miss the rest of the club season.
Micky van de Ven (Netherlands) – The Tottenham centre-back left the pitch in tears during a Carabao Cup match on April 22.
Pablo Barrios (Spain) – The Atletico midfielder picked up a thigh muscle strain and faces a race against time.
As the tournament kicks off in June, we spare a thought for those who should have been there. The ones who ran, and fell, and never got back up. Their World Cup ended before it began. And football, for all its glory, gives no consolation prize.
