As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the teams are beginning to outline their squads with the hope of arriving in the best conditions at the most important soccer tournament. However, the road to the World Cup also leaves bitter stories, especially for those footballers who, despite their talent and career, are forced to sit out due to injuries.
In many cases these are key figures for their teams and selections, whose absence can completely change sporting aspirations. These are some of the players who, due to various physical problems, could miss the World Cup event
The players who will miss the 2026 World Cup due to injury
1. Rodrygo Goes – Brazil
He suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in his right knee during the match against Getafe in La Liga in early March 2026.
Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis after tests on March 3, and the player described it as “one of the worst days of my life.”
Recovery is estimated at 7-9 months or more, which leaves him out of the rest of the 2025-26 season and the World Cup. Brazil loses a key starting attacker along with Vinícius and Endrick, representing a hard blow for the Rio team.
2. Valentín Carboni – Argentina
He suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and a partial rupture of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee during training with the national team in late February 2026.
Reports from La Nación and TyC Sports indicate a minimum recovery of 8 months, with pending surgery. It’s his second serious ACL (he already had one in the other knee in 2023-24), and Scaloni loses a promising young talent who was on the radar.
3. Juan Foyth – Argentina
He ruptured his left Achilles tendon in early 2026, had successful surgery at the end of that month and faces a typical recovery of 7-9 months or more to return to the elite level.
Multiple sources confirm that he is out of the World Cup, which reduces defensive depth (he can play center back or right back) for Scaloni.
4. Samu Aghehowa – Spain
He suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the match against Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga in early February 2026.
Porto confirmed the diagnosis, and the player underwent successful surgery shortly after. He himself expressed being “devastated” and “speechless”, describing it as the most unfortunate day of his career.
With a recovery of 7-9 months or more, the rest of the season and the World Cup are lost.
Spain loses an in-form goalscorer (20 goals this season) who was a strong option for Luis de la Fuente, especially as a replacement in attack.
5. Jack Grealish – England
He suffered a stress fracture in his left foot in January 2026 during a match against Aston Villa.
He underwent surgery in early February, confirming that he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
He expressed being “devastated” by how the campaign ended, and this rules out his chances of returning to the England squad for the World Cup, where his recent form at Everton had put him on the radar for potential squads.
6. Mohammed Salisu – Ghana
He suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in early January 2026.
The Ghana national team doctor, Dr. Prince Pambo, confirmed that he requires about 9 months of recovery and that he is officially ruled out for the World Cup.
Ghana loses one of its strongest defenders in Europe, significantly weakening the Black Stars’ defense.
7. Cameron Carter-Vickers – United States
He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in October 2025 during a Europa League match against Sturm Graz.
Celtic confirmed that he will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, and the player himself along with the staff indicated that it is “very difficult” to get to the World Cup.
The long recovery (9-12 months for full form) affects his ownership under Pochettino, coupled with the fact that the US defense has high competition.
8. Jesús Orozco Chiquete – Mexico
He suffered a serious dislocation of his right ankle (with ligament and tendon damage) in December 2025 during the Apertura semifinal against Tigres.
He underwent successful surgery shortly after, but coach Javier Aguirre indicated in February 2026 that: “unfortunately I don’t think Chiquete is ready,” and it is estimated that he will have months more to recover to full fitness.
This most likely puts him out of the World Cup, as he has not played since and Mexico loses a key versatile defender at the back.
