The World Cup starts on June 11. National team managers around the world will be biting their finger nails, consulting doctors, and hoping that they will have their best players available when the games kick-off. A select few coaches have the depth to cover the loss of a regular player or two. But, nobody wants to see a generational start go down just weeks prior to what could be a career-defining moment.
Didier Deschamps has won a World Cup as a player and as a coach. He also lost the 2022 final in penalties with France. He is the most experienced, winning manager in the World Cup. Imagine his stress level going up watching Kylian Mbappe limp out of a Real Madrid game six weeks ahead of France’s run at a third consecutive World Cup final appearance. If Mbappe’s muscle problem doesn’t make him lose sleep, reserve striker Hugo Ekitike has already been ruled out after suffering an Achilles injury at Liverpool.
The European season, condensed due to the World Cup, has taken a toll on players’ fitness. France has a deep pool of talent to call upon and can keep a Ballon D’Or winner on the bench.
It’s not the same for a country like Egypt. Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah made a painful exit at Anfield over the weekend in what could be his last home game for the English power. The current king of Egyptian football appeared to tweak his hamstring. There isn’t another player like him for Hossam Hassan to select. If he cannot recover in time for Egypt’s first game against Belgium on June 15, the Pharoahs could be in serious trouble. It’s not only veterans like Salah who have been bitten by the injury bug. Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal pulled a hamstring taking a penalty kick. He won’t play for the Blaugrana again this Spring. Spain will hope that he recovers in time for Spain’s first game against Cape Verde, although he could held back until the final group match against Uruguay on June 26 given the talent level of Spain. That will be the European Champions toughest game of the group phase.
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has a global supply of skilled players from which to choose a roster for the five-time winners. However, Real Madrid defender Eder Militao will be a big loss. So, will his Real Madrid colleague Rodrygo. With Neymar struggling to find his form at Santos and apparently not in Ancelotti’s plans, more pressure will fall on Arsenal’s defender Gabriel and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior to lead the Selecao to a sixth World Cup. There are also doubts about Raphinha and Estevao due to their lengthy absences. They aren’t favored to win, so losing key players will make things more difficult.
Germany remains a threat in any World Cup, but Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry has 313 841 0100 already been ruled out of the World Cup. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz will be nervously waiting for a final decision on his fitness. He looks to be absent for Arsenal’s stressful finale to a season that has seen them throw away a huge lead in the English Premier League, but still make the UEFA Champions League semifinal.
Two other Arsenal players will also have to prove their fitness to England boss Thomas Tuchel. Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka were expected to be major attacking threats for England, but they have succumbed to the wear and tear of English football. England could also be without Chelsea defender Reece James, who has struggled with injury for much of the season.
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino will be watching for PSV Eindhoven defender Sergino Dest to return from a hamstring injury. The expected starting right back for the USA went down in March and has declared he will return before PSV’s season ends. That date is approaching fast. Left back Antonee Robinson hasn’t been able to win his starting job back at Fulham since returning from his knee troubles, so it’s not impossible there is still a lingering issue. The rest of the pool is currently injury free, but Pochettino won’t announce his final squad until May 26. He is bound to be as nervous as the fans, hoping that his top team arrives at the new national training center in Atlanta ready to go.
While it would be a blow if any of the game’s biggest stars have to miss the world’s biggest event, injuries will open up opportunities for unknown players to take a star turn. Should Mbappe miss out for France, it could be Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele who carries Les Blues to glory. Brazil’s injuries have opened up roster spot for the likes of Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who has 21 goals in the Premier League. Perhaps Manchester City’s reserve striker Omar Marmoush will step out of Mo Salah’s shadow and lead Egypt to their deepest run ever. There are any number of players who only need a chance to show that they too can be a World Cup hero.
