The World Cup will be missing some star players as injuries mount before the big kickoff

TL;DR

Several star players, including Kylian Mbappé and Estêvão, will miss the World Cup due to injuries. Others like Mohamed Salah and Rodri are recovering but their participation remains uncertain.

Key points

Kylian Mbappé sidelined with a hamstring injury
Estêvão and other stars ruled out of the World Cup
Concerns over player health due to packed schedules

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Kylian Mbappé is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Lamine Yamal is out for the rest of the season and so is Brazil star Estêvão. There was also a scare when Mohamed Salah hurt his hamstring recently. Injuries to some of soccer's biggest names are mounting ahead of the World Cup which starts in five weeks. Mbappé is expected to play again for Real Madrid this month and there is no suggestion his issue will rule him out of the World Cup. But every setback to France's best player will be of concern to the national team. Barcelona's teenage sensation Yamal — recuperating from a leg muscle injury — is also expected to be part of Spain's squad and appear at his first World Cup. And initial fears about Salah have been dispelled. Others, however, have not been so fortunate. France's in April that could take more than six months to fully recover, ruling him out of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, and and possibly the start of next season. Brazil stars and are definitely out. So is and Germany forward after . Meanwhile, the absence of Spain and midfielder in recent weeks because of a groin injury is also worrying after he missed the majority of last season due to ACL damage. City manager Pep Guardiola has given positive updates about Rodri's recovery in recent days and the former Ballon d’Or winner should play again this season. Players and coaches have increasingly warned about the impact of an ever-packed playing schedule, and the expanded World Cup comes a year after the relaunched, supersized Club World Cup. The Champions League has also been expanded in recent years. manager Mikel Arteta describes the demand on players as “an accident waiting to happen."

Q&A

Which star players are confirmed out of the World Cup due to injuries?

Confirmed absences include Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Hugo Ekitike, Serge Gnabry, and Joaquín Panichelli.

What is the status of Kylian Mbappé's injury ahead of the World Cup?

Kylian Mbappé is sidelined with a hamstring injury but is expected to return to play for Real Madrid this month, with no indication he will miss the World Cup.

How are injuries affecting teams ahead of the World Cup?

Injuries to key players are raising concerns for national teams, with managers warning about the impact of a packed playing schedule on player health.