The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than a month a way, and while many players are finishing up their club seasons before donning their country kits and coming over to the US for the tournament, others are nursing injuries that they hope will be healed enough for them to participate in the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament. But which star players are in jeopardy of missing part of the tournament because of lower body injuries, and who has already been ruled out? We take a closer look at some of the biggest ankle, foot and knee injuries to major players in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Who Has Been Ruled Out Of The World Cup?
Let’s begin by looking at the stars who have already been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup:
Rodrygo (Brazil) – Rodrygo tore his ACL and his lateral meniscus in a league game in early March, and is expected to miss around a year while he recovers from the injuries.
Xavi Simons (Netherlands) – Xavi Simons tore his right ACL in a crucial 1-0 victory for Tottenham, but the injury means the Dutch side will be without the midfielder for the World Cup.
Hugo Ekitiké (France) – Ekitiké ruptured his Achilles tendon during the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions league quarterfinal matchup against Paris Saint-Germain. He’s expected to miss at least nine months, meaning he likely won’t be back until 2027.
Luis Ángel Malagón (Mexico) – Malagón suffered a non-contact injury during a game in early March, and imaging results confirm he suffered an Achilles tear that will keep him out of the World Cup.
Estêvão (Brazil) – Estêvão is dealing with a torn hamstring, and although he was hopeful that he’d be fit in time, he was just recently left off Brazil’s preliminary squad, meaning his tournament hopes have been dashed.
Who Is Hoping To Be Healthy?
Let’s also look at who is currently dealing with injuries but are hopeful they’ll be healthy enough to play in the World Cup.
Lamine Yamal – The wonderkid who erupted onto the world scene during Euro 2024 at just 16 years old is dealing with an injury that threatens his availability for the World Cup. He is dealing with a hamstring injury, and was recently ruled out for Spain’s first game against Cape Verde and his availability for their second game against Saudi Arabia is in doubt. Spain, the tournament favorite, should have no trouble qualifying for the knockout round, meaning they have little incentive to rush Yamal back before he’s truly fit.
Wataru Endo (Japan) – Endo underwent surgery to address a ruptured ligament in his foot in February, but he was recently named to Japan’s World Cup squad as captain, suggesting he should be fit enough to participate in the tournament at some point.
Johnny Cardoso (USA) – Cardoso suffered an ankle injury during training in early May, and he needed surgery to address the joint, leaving him highly unlikely but not yet officially out of the tournament.
Arda Güler (Turkey) – Guler is another star player dealing with a hamstring injury. He is expected to be fit to return to action for Turkey in the tournament, but he won’t be able to train as he normally would, meaning he may not play as many minutes as hoped early in the tournament.
We’ll keep tabs on the above players and discuss any other injuries that may play a role in who lifts the trophy at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And if you need help with a foot or ankle injury of your own, connect with Dr. Silverman for more information.