Confirmed Absentees and Uncertainties Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, the footballing world is buzzing with excitement, but it is also rife with concern regarding the fitness of key players. With just a month left until the kickoff of this monumental tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, several national teams are preparing to face the competition without some of their star athletes. In this article, we will delve into the confirmed absentees from teams such as Brazil, Morocco, and France, while also highlighting the uncertainties surrounding other players who are still fighting to regain their fitness in time for the tournament.
Confirmed Absentees
Starting with Morocco, the Lions of the Atlas will be without Hamza Igamane, who suffered a serious knee injury—specifically a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament—during the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, 2026. This injury, which he sustained prior to joining the national team, worsened during the tournament, preventing him from making his World Cup debut.
Brazilian duo Rodrygo and Éder Militão, both from Real Madrid, are also confirmed absentees. Rodrygo has sustained a ligament rupture, while Militão is dealing with a meniscus tear in his right knee. Likewise, France's Hugo Ekitiké, the Liverpool forward, will miss the World Cup after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a Champions League match against PSG last April.
Germany will be without Serge Gnabry, who has suffered a thigh injury, while England's Jack Grealish has confirmed his absence due to a stress fracture in his foot, which required surgery. Argentina, the defending champions, will also be missing two key players: Juan Foyth, who has ruptured his left Achilles tendon, and Joaquín Panichelli, who is suffering from a knee ligament injury.
The Netherlands will miss Xavi Simons, who has been ruled out after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a Premier League match with Tottenham. Ghana's Mohammed Kudus has also been sidelined with a similar knee injury, and Spain's Samu Aghehowa recently sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury as well.
Uncertain Futures
On the uncertainty front, Morocco's Nayef Aguerd is recovering from a long-standing pubalgia that required surgery. While he is currently in rehabilitation back in Morocco, his participation in the World Cup remains in doubt. Additionally, Munir Mohamedi, the Moroccan goalkeeper, is recovering from a shoulder dislocation and underwent successful surgery in January.
Brazil's Estevão is also in a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during a match against Manchester United, while Spain's Lamine Yamal is dealing with a hamstring injury after a recent penalty kick.
In Argentina, Cristian Romero left the field with a partial ligament tear earlier this month, and his recovery will be closely monitored as the tournament approaches. Mohamed Salah of Egypt is also facing an uncertain path after sustaining a hamstring injury, although recent reports suggest he might return before the end of the season.
Moreover, Croatia's Luka Modric is recovering from a cheekbone fracture, while Japan's Takumi Minamino is still uncertain due to a knee ligament injury but has been seen training recently, which raises hopes for his participation.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
