The knockout stages of World Cup 2026 are in full swing, meaning teams will be praying not to suffer any untimely injury setbacks in their quest for global glory.
Some of the big injury sagas heading into the tournament have come to happy endings, with Lamine Yamal now a regular fixture for Spain after returning to full fitness, while injury-ridden Neymar was able to get some minutes in what will likely be his final World Cup, before Brazil’s elimination at the hands of Norway.
However, many nations are still sweating over major concerns to top players. England have been without Reece James for their last three matches, with this blow turning into a full-blown injury crisis at right-back after Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah also reporting issues.
Spain have also been dealing with a double injury blow after wingers Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino suffered setbacks during their third group outing against Uruguay, while France’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Morocco star Ismael Saibari have also been dealt fresh issues as of late.
See below for a full list of key injuries at this year’s World Cup.
Reece James (England)
James has been out of action for England for their last three World Cup outings, once again unable to feature in their stunning round of 16 win over Mexico as he recovers from a hamstring problem.
His absence has been compounded by injuries to right-back alternatives in the England squad though he will hope to return to fitness against Norway in the quarter-finals.
Yeremy Pino (Spain)
The Crystal Palace winger suffered a collarbone injury against Uruguay and there were fears he could miss the rest of the tournament.
Those were allayed when Spain said X-rays showed Pino had not sustained a fractured collar bone but an acromioclavicular sprain.
It meant he was able to return to the squad for Spain’s round of 32 win over Austria but did not feature off the bench.
Nico Williams (Spain)
The injuries are suddenly piling up for La Roja after Williams suffered a groin problem in the win over Uruguay.
“Today is one of the worst days of my life,” Williams posted on social media. “I am injured again after a very difficult year. Yesterday, I suffered a new injury following an incident where a fellow professional acted out of frustration, unhappiness, and sadness over the situation he was going through. In my opinion, it was a play that could have been avoided, as it was completely unnecessary. But this won’t stop me.”
Like Pino, he was able to return to the bench against Austria but did not feature off it.
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Morocco star man Saibari was forced off with a suspected hamstring strain in their round of 16 win over Canada, sparking fears that he may be absent from the Atlas Lions’ mammoth quarter-final with France.
He will be in a race against time to make fitness with Morocco still uncertain of the severity.
Djed Spence (England)
Amid a growing injury crisis for England, Spence was said to be a doubt for their win over Mexico after picking up a muscular niggle.
However, he was brought on in the second half of that clash after Jarell Quansah – who himself had just returned from injury – was sent off.
Facundo Medina (Argentina)
Argentina have been dealt potentially another defensive injury blow after Medina hobbled off after picking up a calf problem in their last-32 clash with Cape Verde.
That match saw the return of Cristian Romero after the Tottenham centre-back suffered a knee injury in the group stage, but Lionel Scaloni may have another headache to deal with after Medina’s withdrawal.
Aurelien Tchouameni (France)
France were without midfielder Tchouameni for their round of 16 clash with Paraguay due to a thigh problem.
He is now in a race against time to make fitness for the quarter-final tie with Morocco.
Auston Trusty (United States)
Trusty was withdrawn during the USA’s group-stage defeat to Turkey after rolling his ankle “pretty bad”.
He eased fears of a serious injury by not needing a stretcher but the Celtic defender nevertheless missed their first knockout match, a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I don’t know. I can’t really react to it,” he told Fox after full-time. “Honestly, I am in my head right now, I rolled my ankle a pretty bad.”
Victor Munoz (Spain)
New Liverpool signing Munoz has been absent for the entirety of the World Cup so far after sustaining a calf injury in the build-up to the tournament. He then suffered a further setback when he was diagnosed with another muscular injury.
He is back on the pitch but is currently training alone.
Jordan Henderson (England)
Brentford midfielder Henderson has been ruled out for the World Cup after sustaining a freak injury in the aftermath of England’s win over Mexico.
Henderson leaped over the advertising hoarding but fell awkwardly and snapped his arm. He will require surgery and miss the rest of the tournament.
Tino Livramento (England)
England were dealt their first real injury blow of the campaign before a ball was kicked when Newcastle defender Livramento was ruled out for the tournament with a calf injury.
Tuchel could have called up a raft of other full-back options, including Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall. However the England manager chose to bring Trevoh Chalobah, a centre-back, into the fold.
Livramento has since undergone surgery to deal with the issue.
