Five stories that could impact World Cup: Xavi Simons, Lamine Yamal, Luka Modric, Serge Gnabry all injured

"The tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg (biceps femoris muscle). The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season, and he is expected to be available for the World Cup." He's expected to be back in time, but at the same time, it adds more doubt to his status for the roster managed by Luis de la Fuente. Even if the teenage superstar is cleared to play, what kind of form and fitness will he be in following the layoff?

Is the season over for Luka Modric?

Croatian captain and AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric is set to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season with the Italian giants, multiple reports confirmed on Monday, following his injury suffered during the AC Milan match against Juventus on Sunday. The Croatian legend, who is set to play his last ever World Cup this summer, has suffered a double fracture of his cheekbone and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, but according to the early reports, his involvement in the summer tournament is not in doubt.

Real Madrid deals with injuries

Two big updates coming from Madrid that could have an impact on the World Cup this summer. Both Turkish midfielder Arda Guler and Brazilian defender Eder Militao have suffered injuries. While the Turkish talent is expected to be back in time for the summer and play with Turkiye (including in the group stage against the United States Men's national team), Militao will be out for at least five months, ruling out the chance to see him playing under Carlo Ancelotti again with Brazil at the World Cup as he will need to undergo surgery to be back ahead of the new season with Real Madrid.

A big blow for Germany

Another injury that will have big consequences for the World Cup, Serge Gnabry will miss the 2026 edition with Germany after sustaining a "right adductor tendon avulsion" in training with Bayern Munich as the German team confirmed. "FC Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry for a prolonged spell after the forward sustained a right adductor tendon avulsion, as confirmed following examination by the club's medical department." Gnabry is one of Germany's best attacking threats combining pace with a proven scoring record on the biggest stages both domestically and at international level. His absence will definitely become an issue for the team managed by Julian Nagelsmann, that is probably lacking creativity in the attack compared to the past editions of the World Cup.