The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, but many players who were set to star for their countries will be forced to miss out because of injury, or are racing to recover in time to play.
Who has been ruled out for the tournament, and who still has a chance to feature this summer? Here's the latest on the key injuries impacting World Cup-bound teams.
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Injury: Torn hamstring
Estêvão pulled up against Manchester United in April with a hamstring injury that left him in tears .
The initial prognosis was positive, suggesting a two-week absence, but it soon became clear things were much more serious, and he has been left off Brazil's preliminary squad .
This is a major issue for Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is also without Rodrygo.
Estêvão was a likely starter in a team that did not score freely during qualifying.
They still have Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha to call upon, but the depth options suddenly look a lot bleaker than they should.
And this has handed 34-year-old Neymar a lifeline; he has taken Estêvão's spot in the preliminary squad.
Injury: Torn adductor
An adductor injury sustained in mid-April ruled Gnabry out for the rest of the domestic season for Bayern Munich and the World Cup for Germany.
He was set to play a major part for his nation this summer; no player played more games across qualifying and March's friendlies.
His absence could open the door for Jamal Musiala -- back from his own injury nightmare -- to start for Die Mannschaft .
It also strengthens fellow Bayern star youngster Lennart Karl 's chances of making the squad.
Injury: Torn ACL and meniscus
Real Madrid 's shock 1-0 loss to Getafe in March was made all the worse by the fact they lost Rodrygo to serious injury in the process.
A torn ACL and meniscus ruled him out for what is likely to be the rest of 2026.
He was second-top scorer with three goals during a difficult qualifying campaign for Brazil.
With Estêvão also an injury concern ahead of the tournament, the Seleção look light on the wings.
They may yet turn to 34-year-old Neymar in response.
Tottenham Hotspur 's first Premier League win of 2026 -- 1-0 against Wolves at the end of April -- came at a great cost: Simons tore an ACL in the second half.
While no guaranteed starter, Simons was set to play a strong role across the attacking midfield line for the Dutch.
This injury strengthens Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders ' grip on the playmaking role and potentially reopens the door for Justin Kluivert -- who is about to return from a four-month knee injury of his own -- to make a late bolt for the squad.
Injury: Torn hamstring
Brighton star Mitoma picked up a hamstring injury in Brighton's 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend and did not make the final squad.
“The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” coach Hajime Moriyasu said in Tokyo on Friday.
The news will come as a huge blow to Japan's hopes of progressing to the final stages of the tournament.
They will vie with Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F as Mitoma is widely regarded to be one of Japan's best players, and scored the winner in their triumph over England in March.
Injury: Torn Achilles tendon
Ekitiké hit the deck very suddenly during Liverpool 's 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in April, and it quickly became clear why .