Big mistake at 2026 FIFA World Cup: Stars miss tournament due to injury

The FIFA World Cup is often seen as the stage where the biggest stars shine and try to impress their teams. The sides depend on these players to be their source of inspiration and magic throughout the tournament.

However, many big names will miss the tournament this year due to injuries that will sideline them for an extended period of time. While some are expected to be ready before the start of the new club football season, some will not return until the end of the year.

These stars will definitely be missed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and we take a look at injuries and the period of time they will be out.

RODRYGO

The biggest name missing from the World Cup this year is Rodrygo. He was an important part of Brazil’s squad in 2022 and was expected to be at the tournament despite his indifferent form for Real Madrid. Rodrygo suffered an ACL injury last season (Courtesy: Reuters)

However, he tore his ACL during a league match against Getafe in March this year, ending his season and World Cup dream.

Rodrygo is expected to be out for 8 to 10 months, meaning he will be back on the pitch at the end of the year.

HUGO EKITIKE

Hugo Ekitike has had a sensational start to life at Liverpool and his form has more or less guaranteed him a place with France at this year’s World Cup. With 11 goals in 28 games last season, Ekitike was expected to form a strike unit with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele expected to terrorize defenses at the World Cup. Ekitike was expected to lead the way for France this season (courtesy: Reuters)

However, the forward suffered a ruptured Achilles during Liverpool’s Champions League game against PSG and underwent surgery to fix the problem. Ekitike is expected to be out for a long time.

MOHAMMED KUDUS

The 2022 World Cup was a breakthrough campaign for Mohammed Kudus as he dazzled on the big stage with Ghana. After earning a move to Tottenham Hotspur, the Ghanaian striker was expected to hit a new gear. Kudus grabbed everyone’s attention during the 2022 World Cup (courtesy: Reuters)

But Spurs’ season quickly unraveled and Kudus found himself injured. The 25-year-old suffered a quadriceps injury in January and suffered a setback in March, meaning he will miss the upcoming World Cup.

FERMIN LOPEZ

Fermin Lopez, along with Gavi and Pedri, were expected to form a new force in Spain’s midfield this World Cup. With 13 goals and 17 assists in 48 games for Barcelona this season, Fermino was expected to set the stage ablaze this time around.

Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, his dream of playing at the World Cup was put on hold as he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and underwent surgery to fix the problem. Fermin played a big part in Barcelona’s LaLiga title win (Courtesy: Reuters)

He is expected to be out for several months and luckily for Barca should be back in time for the new season. But his creativity and talent will be a big miss for Spain, who are aiming to secure their second World Cup title.

OUR MILITAO

Eder Militao has been a defender for Real Madrid and Brazil over the years and that was expected to be his role at this World Cup.

The Brazilian defender has had his fair share of major injuries throughout his career, but the current one could spell the end of his career. Militao suffered a hamstring injury that was very serious, with his surgeon saying surgery was the only option to save his career. Militao was forced to undergo surgery (Courtesy: Reuters)

“I can say that his injury was very serious. The only option was surgery: with this hamstring injury, he could not continue his professional career at the highest level. The decision was clear. We are very sorry that as a result he will not be able to participate in the World Cup this summer,” Militao, the surgeon, told Marco.

Militao’s absence is a big blow to Brazil and their bid to become six-time world champions.

XAVI SIMONS

Xavi Simons hasn’t had the best of starts to his Premier League life with Tottenham Hotspur as the midfielder has struggled to establish himself.

Despite this, Simons proved to be a point of difference for the Netherlands and was often their creative outlet. He played just one game during Qatar 2022 and this World Cup was expected to be his breakthrough campaign. Simons is expected to be sidelined for a long time (Courtesy: Reuters)

Unfortunately, Simons tore the ACL in his right knee during a league game with Spurs in April and is expected to be sidelined for a long time.

He underwent surgery but is expected to be out until the end of the year to recover from the problem.

– The end

Published on:

05 Jun 2026 13:13 IST