A growing list of injuries is casting a shadow over the upcoming World Cup, with several high‑profile stars already confirmed to miss the tournament. The ripple effects are being felt across continents, from Paris to São Paulo, as clubs and national teams brace for the loss of key talent.
France striker Hugo Ekitike sustained an Achilles injury in April that could take more than six months to heal, ruling him out of the World Cup and probably the start of next season with Liverpool. Brazil’s Rodrygo and Éder Militão are definitely out, while Germany forward Serge Gnabry has been sidelined after injuring his adductor in training.
Other nations are dealing with lingering doubts. Argentina’s Cristian Romero carries a knee problem whose final status remains uncertain, and Canada’s Alphonso Davies is nursing a hamstring issue with just over a month left before the tournament begins. England’s Ben White, the Netherlands’ Xavi Simons, and the United States’ Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Patrick Agyemang are also out with various ligament injuries.
Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, recently warned that the relentless demand on players has created "an accident waiting to happen," a sentiment echoed by many coaches watching the packed calendar.
The human cost of a packed calendar
The confluence of club commitments, international duties, and an expanded tournament format has amplified the physical toll on athletes. While some stars, such as Croatia’s Luka Modrić, have managed to recover from a broken cheekbone in time for the World Cup, others, like Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, remain doubtful after a right thigh injury. Even teammates who have returned, such as Croatia’s Joško Gvardiol after four months out with a broken leg, highlight the narrow margins between fitness and setback.
The financial and competitive stakes are high, and the absence of key figures like Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike or Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry could shift group dynamics and tactical plans. As teams finalize rosters, the focus is shifting toward how these setbacks will be managed on the world stage.