NTT PR – The 2026 World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico is just a few days away. A number of participating teams have announced the squad they will rely on.
Even so, some coaches still bring in players who have not fully recovered from injury. This decision is clearly risky, but with their quality and experience, these players are considered important enough to be on the team.
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Quoting from Sportsmole, there are at least seven players who are currently still struggling with injuries. Here’s the complete list:
1. Neymar – Brazil
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti included Neymar in the 2026 World Cup squad. The 34-year-old striker was initially considered to be in good condition, but was later found to be suffering from a right calf muscle injury.
Neymar suffered the injury the day before the announcement of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. However, Santos’ medical team told Ancelotti’s staff that the player only had mild swelling.
2. Cristian Romero – Argentina
Argentina brought in Cristian Romero even though the center back has not fully recovered from a knee injury. Romero is the main pillar of the back line who plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the team’s game.
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Coach Lionel Scaloni doesn’t seem to want to lose one of his best defenders, so he chose to give Romero the opportunity to complete the recovery process with the squad during the tournament.
3. Lamine Yamal – Spain
Lamine Yamal’s injury while defending Barcelona in La Liga on April 22 made Spanish National Team supporters panic. It is feared that the 18 year old star will not be able to appear at the 2026 World Cup.
Responding to this situation, the Spanish medical team immediately coordinated with Barcelona. They are working together to handle Yamal’s recovery as the time for the tournament approaches.
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Coach Luis de la Fuente has finally included Yamal’s name in the 2026 World Cup squad. He will be patient and wait for the La Masia academy graduate to recover, possibly in the third Group H match against Uruguay.
4. William Lintasa – France
The certainty that William Lintasa will defend France in the 2026 World Cup is a puzzle. The 25 year old defender suffered a back injury after playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
There is no information yet regarding the estimate that Lintasa will recover before the 2026 World Cup. What is currently circulating is the possibility that the French coach, Didier Deschamps, will make substitutions.
5. Alphonso Davies – Canada
Alphonso Davies’ injury condition makes Canadian fans worried. As one of the elite players in Jesse Marsch’s squad, he is expected to recover quickly before the 2026 World Cup starts.
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This season has been the toughest for Davies. He was repeatedly hit by injuries until most recently when he defended Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals against PSG.
Marsch does not want to take risks by dropping Davies from the 2026 World Cup squad. However, it is very likely that he will miss the Group B match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 13.
6. Tino Livramento – Newcastle United
Not a few are questioning the decision of England coach, Thomas Tuchel, to call Tino Livramento into the 2026 World Cup squad. Because the 23 year old player is currently suffering from a thigh injury.
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Livramento has experienced this muscle problem repeatedly throughout this season. However, this situation did not make Tuchel give up his intention to take the Newcastle United defender to the 2026 World Cup.
7. Jose Maria Gimenez
Jose Maria Gimenez is once again Uruguay’s mainstay in the defense sector. Even though he suffered an ankle injury, coach Marcelo Bielsa still included his name in the squad.
Apart from his defensive abilities, Gimenez is known as a leader who has a big influence in the dressing room. This factor is an added value that is difficult for other players to replace.***
