The biggest stage in team sport is set, and hundreds of players around the globe are gearing up for their first-ever World Cup.
The tournament across the Americas is now under two months away, and in a month’s time final squads will be submitted for the 2026 showpiece.
Players will be giving it their all to be included in the final running, but there are gifted players who already have their spots guaranteed.
Yet for a select few of them, even with their coaches completely convinced, injury has cruelly robbed them of the 2026 World Cup.
foot.mundo details which players who were destined to star at the tournament have been definitively ruled out with long-term injuries.
Germany:
Serge Gnabry
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said: “He’s very composed, very stable, but of course disappointed.
“When you’re 30 or 31, you probably still have a World Cup ahead of you. I don’t know how much longer he’ll be playing, but it could have been his last chance.
“I feel sorry for him because he would have played a very good role for the German team at the World Cup.”
Brazil:
Rodrygo
Rodrygo picked up a knee injury in February and later said: “I’m out of the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country, a dream that everyone knows how much it means to me. And all I can do is be strong as always, this is nothing new.
“Even though it’s a very difficult time, I promise not to stop here, I believe I still have many incredible things to experience and bring joy to everyone who trusts me.”
Eder Militao
Marca confirmed of the regularly injured Militao: “After opting for surgery, the Brazilian center-back will miss the World Cup and is expected to be out for about five months for a recovery that represents another major setback to his career.”
Netherlands:
Xavi Simons
Tottenham’s Simons wrote on social media: “They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way.
“My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.
“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.
“Representing my country this summer…just gone. It’ll take time to find peace with this, but I’ll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.”
France
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury while playing for Liverpool against former side PSG just as he was starting to become a fixture for France.
A club statement read: “Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France.”
England
Jack Grealish
Grealish suffered a foot fracture while playing for Everton in January and while his World Cup hopes may have been slimmer than others, they’re now all but over.
The BBC wrote in a report: “The injury ends any hopes of Grealish making England’s World Cup squad this summer.”
Doubtful for the World Cup
Algeria
Luca Zidane: Algeria’s No.10 suffered a fractured jaw and chin playing for Granada and surgery likely rules him out: “The player will decide on further treatment in the coming hours in consultation with the club’s medical staff,” the club said.
Croatia
Luka Modric: Injured against Juventus with a fractured cheek bone, national team coach Zlatko Dalic said: “I am confident that his recovery will proceed as planned and that Luka will lead us as captain at another major tournament this summer.”
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