We are just weeks away from the World Cup commencing in Qatar and while there is excitement to see the best teams in the world go head-to-head with each other, there are some major concerns for some of the tournament’s biggest stars.
Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has been ruled out after suffering a calf problem in his side’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield earlier this month. This news followed the potentially devastating news that England right-back Reece James could miss the World Cup due to a knee problem he picked up against AC Milan in the Champions League.
We have decided to take a look at some of the other stars who are definitely ruled out and those who are in a race against time to feature this winter.
READ MORE:
-
Congrats Karim Benzema! But is the Madrid/Barca Ballon d’Or duopoly getting dull?
-
Benzema wins the Ballon d’Or and Putellas retains Feminin title
Netherlands
Gini Wijnaldum - Broken leg (OUT)
Roma midfielder, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, was one of the Netherlands’ most impactful players at Euro 2020, scoring three goals for De Oranje.
England
Reece James - Knee (OUT)
The initial prognosis states that the Chelsea defender will be out for around eight weeks.
Kalvin Phillips - Shoulder (Doubt)
England’s Player of the Year in 2021 made the squad after requiring surgery on his shoulder. He has played just one minute of Premier League this term and may have lost his starting place for his country.
Kyle Walker - Groin (Doubt)
Walker has undergone surgery on a groin/abdominal issue and has been out of action for Manchester City since coming off in the victory over Manchester United at the start of October. He has made the squad, but is unlikely to be fit for the opening game.
James Maddison - Knee (Doubt)
James Maddison was the headline news of Gareth Southgate's England squad but he is now almost certain to miss England's opener with Iran, having missed training for the last three days.
Ben Chilwell - Hamstring (OUT)
Chilwell pulled up clutching his hamstring late on in Chelsea's Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
Argentina
Paulo Dybala - Thigh (Doubt)
The Roma star suffered a freak injury after scoring a penalty against Lecce two and it has been reported he faces between four to eight weeks on the sidelines. He is in the squad, but may miss the opening group game against Saudi Arabia.
Giovani Lo Celso - Hamstring (Major Doubt)
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in Villarreal's defeat to Athletic Club. He has missed out on the World Cup squad.
Belgium
Romelu Lukaku - Hamstring (Minor doubt)
The Belgian striker suffered a muscle injury with Inter Milan. He has been included in the squad and should start Belgium's opener.
Alexis Saelemaekers - Knee ligament damage (OUT)
The AC Milan wide man was unfortunately injured at the start of October and won't be fit in time.
Denmark
Andreas Christensen - Ankle (Doubt)
The Barcelona defender sprained a ligament in his ankle at the start of the month against Inter Milan in the Champions League. He has been included in the World Cup squad but could miss the opening game.
France
Paul Pogba - Knee (OUT)
The midfielder has not featured for Juventus this season since having knee surgery but he returned to training earlier this month. However, L'Equipe reported that he sustained a thigh injury in training which has ruled him out of featuring in Qatar.
N’Golo Kante - Hamstring (OUT)
Speaking of huge losses, the Chelsea man keeps suffering fitness setbacks and his latest relapse has guaranteed he will miss the winter tournament. Given how key both he and Pogba were in France's World Cup win in 2018, they will be huge losses.
Christopher Nkunku - (OUT)
Having been called up to the French squad, the Bundesliga star has been ruled out of featuring at the World Cup after suffering an injury in training.
Karim Benzema - Thigh injury (OUT)
Benzema was set to play a key role in France's defence of their title, but has now suffered a thigh injury in training that has ruled him out of the entire tournament.
Portugal
Diogo Jota - Thigh (OUT)
Things didn’t look good for the Liverpool player when he was stretchered off at the weekend and now his World Cup dream is over.
Pedro Neto - Ankle (OUT)
It’s not been a great couple of years for the Wolverhampton Wanderers star. Having returned from a long injury lay-off at the end of 2021-22, he is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines as he requires surgery.
Germany
Leroy Sane - Thigh (Doubt)
The Bayern Munich winger recently tore his thigh muscle in a 5-0 win over Freiburg. It wasn't the best news for his country as the World Cup starts, but he is in the squad.
Timo Werner - Ankle (Out)
The RB Leipzig striker has been ruled out of featuring in Qatar after tearing a ligament in his left ankle.
United States
Daryl Dike - Thigh (OUT)
The striker has been a notable absentee for West Bromwich Albion in recent weeks, having been out of action since August. He was not selected for the World Cup squad.
Miles Robinson - Achilles (OUT)
An Achilles tendon tear has ruled out the Atlanta United centre-back from featuring at the World Cup.
Weston McKennie - Thigh injury (Doubt)
The Juve midfield missed the Old Lady's latest game and could face a race against time to be fit for the USA's group stage games.
Canada
Maxime Crepeau - Right leg fracture (OUT)
Maxime was injured in the MLS Cup final and will miss out on Canada's first World Cup since 1986.
Mexico
Raul Jimenez - Groin (Doubt)
The Wolves striker hasn’t played since the end of August after picking up a groin issue but he has made the squad.
Jesus Corona - Broken leg (OUT)
Despite breaking his leg in August, reports suggest the Sevilla star is recovering ahead of schedule. It was confirmed on November 8th by the Mexico FA that he'll miss out.
Uruguay
Ronald Araujo - Thigh (Doubt)
The Barcelona defender received surgery on a thigh muscle in September but has recovered in time to make the squad.
Wales
Tom Lawrence - Knee (OUT)
The Rangers star aggravated a problem in his knee which could see him sidelined until December. He has since been ruled out of the World Cup.
Joe Allen - Hamstring (Doubt)
The veteran midfielder hasn’t featured for over a month since picking up a hamstring injury for Swansea against Hull City, but he was surprisingly included in the World Cup squad.
South Korea
Heung-min Son - Head injury (Doubt)
Suffering a nasty injury against Marseille in Tottenham's last group stage game, Son departed after just 29 minutes but should be fine for South Korea's opener.
Iran
Sardar Azmoun - Calf tear (Major doubt)
The Iranian forward is arguably his nation's most important player and has recovered to make the squad.
Senegal
Sadio Mane - Muscle injury (OUT )
Having suffered a muscle injury against Werder Bremen on the 8/11/22, the Senegalese forward saw his World Cup dream ended before it's even began.
