{"id":1588,"date":"2026-06-10T14:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=1588"},"modified":"2026-06-10T14:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:35:32","slug":"the-marquee-snubs-and-injury-absences-from-the-2026-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=1588","title":{"rendered":"The marquee snubs and injury absences from the 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The FIFA World Cup brings together soccer’s best talents, but not everyone gets to make it.<\/p>\n

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The 2026 tournament will feature the most ever teams and players, so there definitely won’t be a shortage of stars under the spotlight.<\/p>\n

However, as the soccer calendar gets more and more grueling, some marquee names either missed out due to injury or were omitted for various reasons. Those could be tactical decisions, a drop in form or another key aspect.<\/p>\n

Here’s a list of some major names who won’t be involved in North America, sorted in no particular order:<\/p>\n

Cole Palmer, England<\/h2>\n

Palmer enjoyed a hit 2024-25 season when he made the switch from Manchester City to Chelsea. He trademarked his “cold” celebration, but ended up having a cold season this year. England manager Thomas Tuchel did not call him up due to a lack of form.<\/p>\n

Phil Foden, England<\/h2>\n

Similarly to Palmer, Foden suffered a severe lack of form throughout this season with Manchester City. He’s hauled in numerous trophies at club level, but didn’t impact the game enough under Pep Guardiola and is now in need of reworking himself.<\/p>\n

Trent Alexander-Arnold, England<\/h2>\n

One of the best passers from right-back in recent time, Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid did not work out right away. His form may be questionable, but his skills are easily translatable to the World Cup. Time will tell if Tuchel made the right choice here, as well as with Harry Maguire.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTelemundo Deportes lead play-by-play announcer Luis Omar Tapia breaks down Group C for the FIFA World Cup. Can Scotland move beyond past World Cup disappointments? Will it be a cakewalk for Brazil?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

Rodrygo, Brazil<\/h2>\n

Speaking of Real Madrid, Brazilian star forward Rodrygo will be out of the tournament with a torn ACL. It’s a key blow for the Selecao’s chances of winning it all, with young right winger Estevao and veteran defender Eder Militao also being sidelined with respective torn hamstrings. Chelsea striker Joao Pedro was a tough omission decision.<\/p>\n

Eduardo Camavinga, France<\/h2>\n

The Real Madrid absentees don’t stop there. Camavinga was supposed to be the next big midfielder for France, but the 23-year-old’s development has stalled and he wasn’t called up. It has to be a major wake-up call if he is to bounce back for the next tournament.<\/p>\n

Hugo Ekitike, France<\/h2>\n

Last summer saw many strikers move to new teams in a major shift. Ekitike was one of them, making the leap from German midtable side Frankfurt to English giants Liverpool. The then-reigning Premier League champions saw the 23-year-old striker make the most impact after their lucrative spending, but he tore his Achilles and won’t be involved.<\/p>\n

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Jurrien Timber, Netherlands<\/h2>\n

A late omission, Dutch star right-back Timber will be out due to a groin injury he suffered in March but couldn’t recover from in time. He appeared in the recent Champions League final for Premier League winners Arsenal, but wasn’t deemed medically cleared for a full return. Fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt is also out with a back injury. <\/p>\n

Xavi Simons, Netherlands<\/h2>\n

A promising young attacking midfielder who can play out wide, Dutch option Simons tore his ACL while on club duty with Tottenham. He might not have been a starter, but his quality likely would’ve seen him get called up. <\/p>\n

Lennart Karl, Germany<\/h2>\n

After making the World Cup squad, 18-year-old Karl was a late cut due to an injury suffered in training. Karl made waves with the biggest German club in Bayern Munich and was set to be the nation’s potential breakout star. Veteran winger Serge Gnabry is also out injured.<\/p>\n

Johnny Cardoso, USA<\/h2>\n

The U.S. men’s national team will be without a starting midfielder with Cardoso needing ankle surgery late in the season. The 24-year-old broke out with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, but he unfortunately will be a key miss. Yunus Musah remains out of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, with Tanner Tessman also dealing with injuries.<\/p>\n

Kaoru Mitoma, Japan<\/h2>\n

Arguably Japan’s best attacker, Mitoma will be a significant miss for a side with potential to give the elite nations trouble. The 29-year-old left winger tore his hamstring late in the Premier League season with Brighton and had to be omitted. Fellow forward Takumi Minamino is out with a torn ACL.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tU.S. soccer legend Clint Dempsey explains the pressure facing the USMNT ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

Fermin Lopez, Spain<\/h2>\n

Spain are one of the true contenders to win this World Cup, but it may be too reliant on Lamine Yamal, who has fitness issues of his own. But not involved entirely is fellow Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez, a versatile forward who can step up with key goal contributions. He suffered a metatarsal fracture, while young defender Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid struggled for form in his debut campaign.<\/p>\n

Mateus Fernandes, Portugal<\/h2>\n

With West Ham relegating from the Premier League, 21-year-old Fernandes is likely set to be a major-money signing for a big club. But with Portugal having a stacked midfield, they did not have enough room for the youngster, who can slot in as a No. 8 or No. 6 with solid attacking IQ to match. <\/p>\n

Marcelo Flores, Canada<\/h2>\n

After making the switch from Mexico to Canada, where he was born, the 22-year-old Flores made the World Cup squad before tearing his ACL in the recent Concacaf Champions Cup final. It’s a blow for a Canada team seeking more talented youth, with Flores showing some bright spots in flashes.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApple TV MLS analyst Kaylyn Kyle previews Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup, discussing its chances of advancing from the group, the impact of superstar Alphonso Davies, and the strong team camaraderie built under head coach Jesse Marsch.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n