USMNT’s Johnny Cardoso sprains ankle five weeks out from World Cup

TL;DR

USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso has suffered a high-grade ankle sprain, jeopardizing his participation in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. With only five weeks until the tournament, his recovery timeline remains uncertain.

Key points

Johnny Cardoso has a high-grade ankle sprain.
His injury puts his World Cup participation in doubt.
The USMNT's first match is against Paraguay on June 13.
Cardoso has 23 appearances for the USMNT since 2020.
Cristian Roldan and Tanner Tessmann could be potential replacements.

Mentioned in this story

Atlético Madrid

Johnny Cardoso2026 World CupUSMNTParaguay

Johnny Cardoso has become a regular under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images (Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images) United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso has suffered what the club deemed a “high grade” sprain in his right ankle, his club Atlético Madrid said on Thursday. The injury casts the midfielder’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in serious doubt, with just five weeks to go until the tournament starts and less than three weeks to go until US head coach Mauricio Pochettino names his squad. High-grade ankle sprains typically take at least a month to recover from, and often more. The US opens its World Cup campaign on 13 June against Paraguay in Inglewood, California. They will then also play Australia and Turkey in Group D. Related: 16-year-old Mathis Albert just broke a Bundesliga record. Beware the US soccer hype machine Atlético said Cardoso was hurt in practice and will undergo rehab. The club did not give a timetable for his return. La Liga has four rounds left and Atlético is eyeing a top four finish after being eliminated by Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals this week. The 24-year-old Cardoso has 23 appearances for the USMNT since his debut in 2020. The most recent came in the March international window, where he played the first 45 minutes of the United States’ 5-2 loss to Belgium. A defensive midfielder, he has largely struggled to replicate the good form he has displayed at club level with the national team, but is thought to be a potentially key piece of the US midfield should he turn that around with weeks to prepare ahead of the major tournament. Should he be unable to play at the World Cup, Pochettino will have a few interesting options at his disposal as he determines his midfield personnel. This could mean that the Seattle Sounders’ becomes more of a lock to make his second World Cup roster, with his versatility, experience and respect among teammates being points in his favor. It could also mean an elevation for , who has played 12 times under Pochettino, garnering the 15th-most minutes among US players in that timeframe. Tessmann also has versatility in his favor, having recently been deployed as a center back in a three-man backline for club and country.

Q&A

What is the severity of Johnny Cardoso's ankle injury?

Johnny Cardoso has a high-grade sprain in his right ankle, which typically requires at least a month for recovery.

When does the USMNT start their World Cup campaign?

The USMNT opens its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Paraguay in Inglewood, California.

Who could replace Johnny Cardoso if he can't play in the World Cup?

If Cardoso is unable to play, Cristian Roldan and Tanner Tessmann are potential options for the midfield, given their recent performances and versatility.

USMNT’s Johnny Cardoso sprains ankle five weeks out from World Cup

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

UFC 328 press conference start time: Watch live stream online for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland

Aaron Rodgers expected to return to Steelers: Where four-time MVP will rank on NFL's all-time oldest QBs

NFL schedule release: Steelers matchup ranked in top 10 games of 2026

Blue Jays predicted fire sale might actually be a good idea for a $100M reason

Mailbag: Does Sean Strickland have the right style to shock Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328?

Netflix lands NFL Week 1 Australia game, reportedly getting Thanksgiving Eve game as well

More from Sports