Overview
- Onana went down with a right-knee problem and was withdrawn early in Belgium’s round-of-16 win over the United States on Monday before being seen on crutches and wearing a knee brace.
- Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed scans showed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and said Onana will miss the remainder of the 2026 World Cup.
- Medical reports project a multi-month recovery commonly estimated at six to nine months, which is likely to rule Onana out for a large portion of the coming club season.
- Aston Villa and Belgium will coordinate surgery and rehabilitation in the coming days and Villa are expected to reassess summer midfield plans because Onana had been central to their lineup.
- Onana’s recent history of hamstring and calf problems compounds concern about his long-term availability and leaves Villa facing sporting gaps and potential financial recourse under FIFA’s Club Protection Programme.