World Cup squad anxiety mounts as injuries sideline key stars ahead of June 11 kickoff
With the tournament commencing on June 11, national teams from Brazil to Spain are navigating significant personnel losses, forcing managers to reshuffle tactics and rely on depth charts as the deadline for final squads approaches.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to commence on June 11, is already being defined by a wave of injuries that have disrupted preparations for several of the tournament’s most prominent national teams. As the initial squad lists are finalised, managers across Europe and the Americas are grappling with the absence of key players, ranging from confirmed exclusions to last-minute races against time for recovery.
Brazil’s preparations have been severely impacted by the loss of attacking depth. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is without Rodrygo, who suffered a torn ACL and meniscus, and Estêvão, who has been ruled out of the preliminary squad following a serious hamstring injury. The situation has opened the door for 34-year-old Neymar to fill Estêvão’s spot, providing a lifeline for a Seleção side that struggled to score freely during the qualifying campaign.
In Europe, the impact is equally felt. Spain’s Fermín López has been ruled out after fracturing a metatarsal, requiring surgery and removing a key creative force from Luis de la Fuente’s midfield. Meanwhile, Spain’s Lamine Yamal remains doubtful for the opening matches due to a hamstring injury, potentially forcing tactical adjustments involving Ferran Torres or Álex Baena. Germany has also lost Serge Gnabry to an adductor injury, while captain Alphonso Davies is out for several weeks, casting doubt over Canada’s defensive structure for their opening fixture against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Other notable absences include Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino, who have been excluded from the final squad, and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, who has undergone surgery for a back issue. Uruguay’s José María Giménez and Argentina’s Cristian Romero are also listed as significant losses, with Romero’s knee injury potentially reshaping the defensive partnership for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
As the tournament approaches, several high-profile players are racing to recover in time for the competition. Mohamed Salah, Jude Bellingham, and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior are among those hoping to prove their fitness, while others like Croatia’s Luka Modrić and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi are managing injuries with cautious optimism. The final squads will likely reflect these uncertainties, with managers forced to adapt their strategies in the absence of their usual stars.
