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 Belgium’s Amadou Onana has been ruled out for the tournament after suffering an ACL injury.
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.
Amadou Onana (Belgium)
Onana has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup and will miss much of the upcoming season after the Belgium and Aston Villa midfielder suffered a knee injury in his country’s last-16 win over USA.
Onana’s knee buckled under him as he twisted during the first half, without contact from an opponent. After treatment, the 24-year-old was later seen returning to the Belgian bench using crutches and wearing a knee brace as he watched his teammates secure a 4-1 victory in Seattle to knock out their American hosts.
He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury which typically takes at least six months to recover from.
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.
However, he is yet to play any minutes for Spain since the group-stage injury.
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 has yet to play any minutes since the injury ahead of the quarter-finals.
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 has undergone surgery and will miss the rest of the tournament, though plans to remain with the squad until the end of the campaign. He has returned to their training base in Kansas City.
Jorgen Strand Larsen (Norway)
Crystal Palace striker Strand Larsen is among a contingent of Norway players who have been struck by illness ahead of their quarter-final with England.
“We’ve had a few players who haven’t been feeling well, but things are getting better,” said manager Stale Solbakken. “It’s not ideal during a tournament, but we’re managing the situation.”
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Morocco star man Saibari was forced off with a hamstring problem in their round of 16 win over Canada and will now be absent from the Atlas Lions’ mammoth quarter-final with France.
Saibari has been integral to Morocco’s success this tournament, scoring three goals.
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 are dealing with another defensive injury blow after Medina hobbled off with 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, with the defender missing their last-16 tie with Egypt.
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.
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.
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