Injuries Increase Concerns as World Cup Approaches

• Injuries are mounting ahead of the World Cup which starts in five weeks.

• France’s Hugo Ekitike sustained an Achilles injury and will miss the tournament.

• Kylian Mbappe is sidelined with a hamstring injury but will recover in time for the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Lamine Yamal is out for the rest of the season and so is Brazil star Estêvão. There was also a scare when Mohamed Salah hurt his hamstring recently.

Injuries to some of football’s biggest names are mounting ahead of the World Cup, which starts in five weeks. Mbappé is expected to play again for Real Madrid this month, and there is no suggestion his issue will rule him out of the World Cup. However, every setback to France’s star player raises concerns for the national team.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Yamal, recuperating from a leg muscle injury, is also expected to be part of Spain’s squad and make his debut at the World Cup. Initial fears regarding Salah have been eased.

Unfortunately, others have not been so fortunate. France’s Hugo Ekitike sustained an Achilles injury in April that may take over six months to heal, ruling him out of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and possibly affecting the start of next season.

Brazil stars Rodrygo and Éder Militao are definitely out of the tournament, along with Bayern Munich and Germany forward Serge Gnabry, who injured his adductor in training. Meanwhile, Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri’s absence due to a groin injury is concerning, especially after he missed most of last season due to an ACL injury. City manager Pep Guardiola has provided positive updates on Rodri’s recovery, suggesting he should feature again this season.

Players and coaches have increasingly expressed concerns about the effects of a congested playing schedule. The upcoming expanded World Cup follows a relaunch of the supersized Club World Cup, and the Champions League has also undergone recent expansions.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta calls the mounting demands on players “an accident waiting to happen.”

Players Definitely Ruled Out of the World Cup

• Argentina: Joaquín Panichelli (ACL)

• Brazil: Éder Militão (hamstring), Rodrygo (ACL)

• France: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles)

• Germany: Serge Gnabry (adductor)

• Netherlands: Xavi Simons (ACL)

• United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles)

Ones to Watch

Algeria: Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, is a doubt due to a facial injury sustained during an on-field collision last month.

Argentina: Cristian Romero is ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and it remains unclear if he will miss the World Cup as Tottenham has not provided a recovery timeline.

Brazil: Teenage talent Estêvão will not play for Chelsea this month due to a hamstring injury. There are conflicting reports about his potential recovery in time for the World Cup.

Croatia: Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić broke his cheekbone last month but is anticipated to be available for the World Cup.

Morocco: Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has a right thigh injury.

United States: Defender Miles Robinson has been sidelined since April 18 with a leg injury.