The star players who could miss this summer’s World Cup through injury

The star players who could miss this summer’s World Cup through injury

Several big-name stars could be forced to miss the World Cup through injury.

Many have already been ruled out completely while several others remain doubts for football’s biggest competition.

Here are the key players who will or could miss out…

Spain: Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino

Barcelona have said that Yamal is expected to be available for the World Cup despite having sustained a knee injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Merino, meanwhile, has been out since January with a foot injury and it is unclear whether he could return in time for the tournament.

Germany: Serge Gnabry

Gnabry is set to miss the tournament with an adductor injury, saying he will “support the boys from home”.

Brazil: Rodrygo, Estevao and Eder Militao

Brazil are facing the possibility of three key absences for the tournament.

Rodrygo is certain to miss out after suffering a serious knee injury, along with Militao who has a hamstring injury.

Estevao has been ruled out for Chelsea until the end of the season with a hamstring injury and faces a race to be fit.

France: Hugo Ekitike and Kylian Mbappe

Ekitike ruptured his Achilles while playing for Liverpool in the Champions League quarter final against PSG and will be out for the World Cup.

France could be without another forward in star man Mbappe, who has suffered a hamstring problem but is hoping to be fit in time.

England: Reece James

James has been sidelined since March with a hamstring injury and it is unclear whether he will return in time for the World Cup.

Netherlands: Xavi Simons

Simons has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury in Spurs’ win over Wolves on Saturday.

Argentina: Cristian Romero

Romero will not play again for Spurs this season with a knee injury but his boss Roberto De Zerbi says he is hopeful that the defender will play in the World Cup.

Croatia: Luka Modric

The 40-year-old looked certain to play in his last ever World Cup but will undergo ‌surgery for a fractured left cheekbone.

He could well still play but will likely have to wear a protective mask.

Egypt: Mo Salah

The extent of Salah’s injury has not been revealed yet. The Liverpool forward was forced off against Crystal Palace with a suspected hamstring injury.

Ghana: Mo Kudus

The Spurs winger has been out since January and has suffered a setback in his recovery, placing his World Cup in doubt.

Turkey: Arda Guler

The Real Madrid man has suffered a hamstring injury which has made his involvement in the tournament this summer unclear.