The road to the 2026 World Cup has been a bumpy ride for some players. This is because 15 star footballers are sitting out this year’s tournament due to injury. Their absence is shaking up teams and leaving coaches scrambling as the starry event looms closer.
These injuries aren’t limited to any one region or team. Both Arab and international sides are feeling the blow. Therefore, managers will be forced to find replacements for key players who have been pivotal to tactics and lineups.
Blows to Arab teams
The Jordanian national team is grappling with a major setback, as striker Yazan Al-Naimat is set to miss the World Cup after suffering a torn ligament. The recovery time makes it near impossible for him to return to the pitch in time. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s defence takes a hit after Walid Al-Ahmad sustained a serious knee injury while playing domestically. There is no one to fill the gaping hole in their backline.
International stars out of the running
The international stage is not without its losses either, with some big names now ruled out.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Goes will miss the tournament due to a severe knee injury. Meanwhile, Germany’s Serge Gnabry is sidelined with a muscle tear. England’s Jack Grealish will also be absent as he recovers from surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. Japan will likely have to forgo Takumi Minamino, currently grappling with a torn cruciate ligament.
The French national team has been rocked by the absence of Hugo Ekitiki, who has suffered an achilles tendon injury. Argentina, too, is feeling the sting as both Juan Foyth and Joaquín Panicelli, out with tendon and ligament injuries.
In Germany, Serge Gnabry’s muscle tear continues the injury woes. In addition, Spain loses Samo Omorodion to a cruciate ligament injury — a serious blow. Brazil is also hit hard with Eder Militao sidelined following surgery for a muscle injury. Ghana’s Mohamed Salisu faces the challenge of a severe knee injury.
American and Dutch losses
Other teams are feeling the impact too. The US will be without Jonathan Klinsmann after he broke his neck, while the Netherlands faces the absence of Xavi Simons, recovering from a ligament injury.
As the final rosters take shape, all eyes will be on how coaches navigate these hurdles in the run-up to the World Cup. These absences will undoubtedly shape the competition and, and could also provide an opportunity for fresh faces to step into the spotlight.
The 15 big-name players to miss the 2026 World Cup:
- Rodrigo Goes (Brazil) — Cruciate ligament + cartilage
- Serge Gnabry (Germany) — Muscle tear
- Jack Grealish (England) — Stress fracture
- Takumi Minamino (Japan) — Cruciate ligament
- Hugo Ekitike (France) — Achilles tendon
- Juan Foyth (Argentina — Achilles tendon
- Joaquín Panicelli (Argentina — Cruciate ligament
- Jonathan Klinsmann (US) — Broken neck
- Eder Militao (Brazil) — Muscle injury
- Samo Omorodion (Spain) — Cruciate ligament
- Xavi Simons (Netherlands) — Cruciate ligament
- Mohamed Salisu (Ghana) — Knee injury
- Yazan Al-Naimat (Jordan) — Cruciate ligament
- Walid Al-Ahmad (Saudi Arabia) — Cruciate ligament
- Luis Malagon (Mexico) — Achilles tendon
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
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