The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history, with 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For most international players, it represents the pinnacle of their careers. For some, that opportunity has already been closed off. A wave of serious injuries spanning the closing months of the club season has ended multiple World Cup campaigns before they could begin, with preliminary squad lists due to FIFA on May 11, giving coaches little time to wait on struggling players. Fans tracking World Cup 2026 betting markets will already have noticed the absence of key names among the favourites.
Confirmed absentees
Rodrygo – Brazil
Rodrygo tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Getafe in early March. The 25-year-old had 37 caps for the Selecao and was a regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking setup. His absence limits Brazil’s front-line options considerably, particularly given that Raphinha’s own fitness situation remains unresolved.
Hugo Ekitike – France
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon during the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in April. The France international had been making a strong case for squad inclusion and will now miss the tournament entirely. France have the attacking depth to absorb the loss, but Ekitike was pushing for a meaningful role.
Jack Grealish – England
Jack Grealish has been ruled out with a foot injury that has limited his involvement for most of the season. The Everton winger misses out on a tournament England are among the favourites to win, with Thomas Tuchel’s squad already navigating multiple fitness concerns across the attacking positions.
Samu Aghehowa – Spain
Porto striker Samu Aghehowa tore his ACL against Sporting CP in February, ending a season in which he had scored 13 goals in 20 league appearances at the age of 21. He had been pushing for a senior Spain debut and a nine-month recovery timeline rules him out well before the tournament begins.
Takumi Minamino – Japan
Takumi Minamino’s ACL tear ends his involvement ahead of a tournament where Japan carry genuine ambitions. The AS Monaco midfielder has been one of Hajime Moriyasu’s most trusted options for several years and can operate across multiple positions in midfield and attack. His absence is a significant loss in terms of both experience and versatility.
Players racing to be fit
Cristian Romero – Argentina
Romero suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee on April 13 and is out for the remainder of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League season. There are cautious grounds for optimism around his recovery timeline, but the Argentina centre-back is currently a doubt. Losing a member of their 2022 World Cup-winning squad would be a blow for the reigning champions.
Raphinha – Brazil
Raphinha picked up a hamstring strain during March’s international fixtures and has been sidelined since. He is expected to return in May if he avoids setbacks, but his availability for Brazil’s opening game remains unclear. Barcelona are reported to be frustrated at the injury occurring on international duty, with FIFA set to provide compensation.
Matthijs de Ligt – Netherlands
Matthijs de Ligt has barely played since late November after suffering a back injury that has proved slow to clear up. The Manchester United centre-back faces a race against time to reach the fitness level required for tournament football, and having missed several months of action, manager Ronald Koeman will need convincing that he is ready.
With squad submissions just weeks away, the nations involved are working through their contingency plans. For some, alternatives have already been identified. For others, the next few weeks will determine whether key players make it or miss out entirely.