A handful of football stars are already experiencing long-term setbacks during the 2025–26 season, and might be left out when national teams submit their provisional squad rosters for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Attending the FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of a football player’s career for many. However, injuries might already prevent a number of players from competing in the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
ENigeria Newspaper has compiled a list of top footballers who might be missing out in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Top players that risk missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup include ;
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Despite his success both at home and in Europe this season, the Barcelona wonderkid might not be able to compete in this summer’s competition, although sources suggest he might return just in term for the tournament. After scoring from the penalty in a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo this week, Yamal was seen clutching at his hamstring. Barca, however, confirmed he will miss the remainder of the season.
Hugo Ekitike (France)
During the Champions League quarterfinal loss to PSG at Anfield last week, the Frenchman ruptured his Achilles. He won’t participate in France’s World Cup run because it is anticipated that he would be out for up to nine months.
Estevao (Brazil)
This season, the Brazilian sensation has excelled with Chelsea; nevertheless, last week, he sustained a grade four hamstring injury against Manchester United. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti worries about his involvement on the international scene in the upcoming months, thus it is very likely that he will miss the remainder of the season.
Patrick Agyemang (USA)
Patrick Agyemang, a striker for Derby County, also sustained an Achilles injury earlier this month, which was a terrible blow. Agyemang was poised to play a significant role for co-hosts the USA, but that dream has now been brutally taken away from him.
Samuel Aghehowa (Spain)
After suffering an ACL tear in February, Porto striker Samu Aghehowa’s stellar season came to an end. The 21-year-old, who had been in excellent scoring form, will no longer have the opportunity to represent Spain internationally.
Johan Foyth (Argentina)
World Cup winner Juan Foyth sustained an Achilles injury in January while playing for Villarreal. The defender will miss the opportunity to represent Argentina again on the World Cup stage.
Rodrygo (Brazil)
Due to an ACL tear sustained during a Real Madrid league game, Brazilian sensation Rodrygo will not be participating in the competition. The Real Madrid forward, who made five appearances for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, called the day he had the injury “one of the worst days of my life.”
