Key players across the globe who will miss FIFA World Cup 2026 due to injury

Missing out on the World Cup is a soccer player’s worst nightmare.

The tournament only rolls around every four years and is seen as the pinnacle of the sport, with legends forged within its confines.

Sport, however, has a tendency to be very cruel indeed. Injuries are part and parcel of any sport and soccer is sadly no different.

The fixture schedule at club level has increased in recent years and players have had to carry the load as a result. Injuries, sadly, are an inevitable byproduct of that, even with top clubs having the financial power to build bigger squads.

Indeed, some of the biggest stars in soccer will be forced to miss the 2026 World Cup later this month, and here’s a look at them.

Group A

Mexico: Rodrigo Huescas, Luis Malagon

Group B

Canada: Marcelo Flores

Group C

Brazil: Vanderson, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Estevao Willian

Scotland: Billy Gilmour

Morocco: Hamza Igamane

Billy Gilmour leaves the pitch with injury during Scotland vs Curacao. — Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images

Group D

USA: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Patrick Agyemang, Johnny Cardoso

Australia: Riley McGree, Lewis Miller

Group E

Germany: Serge Gnabry, Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Group F

Netherlands: Xavi Simons, Matthijs de Ligt, Jerdy Schouten

Japan: Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma

Group H

Spain: Fermin Lopez, Samu Aghehowa

Group I

France: Hugo Ekitike

Group L

Ghana: Mohammed Kudus

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