With fewer than 50 days remaining before the FIFA World Cup begins on 11 June in the United States, Mexico and Canada, concerns are mounting over a growing list of injured players. As preparations intensify, several high-profile footballers have already been ruled out, while others face uncertainty regarding their participation.
The sequence of injury setbacks began with Brazilian forward Rodrygo, who suffered a serious knee injury in early March. The Real Madrid player tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral meniscus in his right knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season as well as the World Cup.
Subsequently, two Argentine players—Juan Foyth and Valentín Carboni—were also sidelined due to injury. France forward Hugo Ekitike joined the list after sustaining an injury during a UEFA Champions League match, ending his World Cup hopes.
The most recent addition is Germany’s Serge Gnabry. Bayern Munich confirmed that the 30-year-old has suffered a tear in the adductor muscle of his right thigh, an injury that requires an extended recovery period. As a result, his participation in the World Cup is no longer feasible. Gnabry himself confirmed the news via Instagram, stating that his World Cup dream had come to an end and that he would now focus on rehabilitation and returning before the pre-season.
Gnabry had been a regular figure in the German national team, starting all matches in the World Cup qualifiers and featuring in two international friendlies in March. His inclusion in the squad under head coach Julian Nagelsmann had been widely anticipated prior to the injury.
Attention has also turned to two emerging talents: Brazil’s Estevão and Spain’s Lamine Yamal, both of whom are currently dealing with injury concerns.
Estevão, aged 18, has been one of Brazil’s standout young performers in recent months. Under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, he has recorded five goals and five assists in seven appearances, the highest combined tally for any Brazilian player under the Italian manager. However, after struggling with injuries in recent weeks, he sustained another thigh injury on 19 April during Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United. His availability for the World Cup now remains uncertain. Brazil are scheduled to announce their squad on 18 May, and discussions are ongoing regarding whether he could be included, even if only fit for the knockout stages.
Brazilian media reports indicate that if Estevão is ultimately ruled out, the likelihood of Neymar featuring in the World Cup could increase. A poll cited by Brazilian outlet “O Globo” showed that nearly 50 per cent of respondents believe Neymar will play, up from 34 per cent on 21 April and the highest level since polling began on 17 March.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal’s situation is also under scrutiny. The Spanish forward experienced discomfort in his left leg after scoring a penalty in Barcelona’s victory over Celta Vigo. He left the pitch before half-time with assistance from the club’s medical staff. According to a source cited by ESPN, initial indications suggest a possible hamstring tear. The extent of the injury and recovery timeline will be confirmed following scan results.
A summary of the affected players is provided below:
| Player Name | Country | Injury Type | World Cup Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodrygo | Brazil | ACL and meniscus tear (knee) | Ruled out |
| Juan Foyth | Argentina | Not specified | Ruled out |
| Valentín Carboni | Argentina | Not specified | Ruled out |
| Hugo Ekitike | France | Match injury | Ruled out |
| Serge Gnabry | Germany | Adductor muscle tear (thigh) | Ruled out |
| Estevão | Brazil | Thigh injury | Uncertain |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | Suspected hamstring injury | Uncertain |
As the tournament approaches, the increasing number of injuries continues to affect squad planning and selection decisions across multiple national teams.