The injury list continues to grow ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Raphinha and Phil Foden the latest big names to suffer setbacks. With several key players already sidelined, concerns are mounting for national teams just months before the tournament.
Foden’s injury came during England’s friendly against Uruguay, where a heavy challenge from Ronald Araujo left the Manchester City midfielder in visible pain. Despite a VAR review, no booking was issued and Foden was forced off shortly afterwards, replaced by Cole Palmer. The incident prompted a strong reaction from England boss Thomas Tuchel, who was visibly frustrated.
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The setback comes at a crucial time for Foden as he looks to cement his place both at Manchester City and in the England squad. After a promising start to the season, his form dipped and the Uruguay game was seen as an opportunity to make a statement – one that ended prematurely.
RAPHINHA INJURY FEAR BARCA, BRAZIL
Raphinh’s injury added to Brazil’s growing concerns ahead of the World Cup. The Barcelona winger was forced off in the first half of Brazil’s 1-2 loss to France, with scans later confirming a right hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old is expected to return to FC Barcelona for treatment and is expected to be out until May. Early reports suggest it is the same hamstring problem that plagued him earlier in the season, prompting fears of another extended absence.
His absence will not only affect Barcelona’s upcoming games, but also disrupt Brazil’s preparations, given his importance in the attacking setup.
BIG NAME INJURY LIST GROWS
The list of injured players ahead of the World Cup continues to grow, with Cristiano Ronaldo among the biggest names solving fitness problems. Several key players across the nations are either sidelined or racing against time to recover.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- Rodrygo (Brazil) – sent off
- Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)
- Eder Militao (Brazil)
- Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands)
- Nico Williams (Spain)
- Mikel Merino (Spain)
- Fabian Ruiz (Spain)
- Edson Alvarez (Mexico)
- Takumi Minamino (Japan)
- Wataru Endo (Japan)
- James Maddison (England) – sent off
- Jack Grealish (England)
- Levi Colwill (England) – sent off
- If Gvardiol (Croatia)
- Mateo Kovačič (Croatia)
- Alphonso Davies (Canada)
With injuries piling up across teams, teams will be keeping a close eye on recovery schedules as the World Cup approaches. Managing players’ fitness can prove as crucial as tactics in the lead-up to football’s biggest stage.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
28 Mar 2026 09:17 IST
