Overview
- Brazil defender Éder Militao, who doctors said Saturday must have surgery on his left hamstring, will miss the World Cup with reports citing a recovery of about four months.
- Several stars are already out of the tournament, including Brazil’s Rodrygo with a torn ACL, France’s Hugo Ekitiké with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Germany’s Serge Gnabry with a right adductor tear.
- Spain’s Lamine Yamal has a left hamstring injury with a roughly 30% relapse risk according to a team doctor, while Chelsea’s Estêvão is out for the rest of the club season and Argentina’s Cuti Romero is dealing with a cruciate ligament problem.
- Mexico has ruled out goalkeeper Luis Malagón, tightening options for the co-hosts as final rosters near.
- With about seven weeks to go, medical staff warn of high re-injury risk for muscle tears, and coaches face rapid roster reshuffles after a punishing season of matches.