{"id":1873,"date":"2026-05-07T16:04:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:04:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=1873"},"modified":"2026-05-07T16:04:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:04:31","slug":"the-world-cup-will-be-missing-some-star-players-as-injuries-mount-before-the-big-kickoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=1873","title":{"rendered":"The World Cup will be missing some star players as injuries mount before the big kickoff"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JAMES ROBSON, AP Soccer Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 is sidelined with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Lamine Yamal is out for the rest of the season and so is Brazil star Est\u00eav\u00e3o.<\/p>\n

There was also a scare when Mohamed Salah hurt his hamstring recently.<\/p>\n

Injuries to some of soccer\u2019s biggest names are mounting ahead of the World Cup which starts in five weeks.<\/p>

Read more Orange County scores and player stats for Wednesday, May 6<\/a><\/p>\n

Mbapp\u00e9 is expected to play again for Real Madrid this month and there is no suggestion his issue will rule him out of the World Cup. But every setback to France\u2019s best player will be of concern to the national team.<\/p>\n

Barcelona\u2019s teenage sensation Yamal \u2014 recuperating from a leg muscle injury \u2014 is also expected to be part of Spain\u2019s squad and appear at his first World Cup.<\/p>\n

And initial fears about Salah have been dispelled.<\/p>

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Others, however, have not been so fortunate.<\/p>\n

France\u2019s Hugo Ekitike sustained an Achilles injury in April that could take more than six months to fully recover, ruling him out of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and possibly the start of next season.<\/p>\n

Brazil stars Rodrygo and \u00c9der Milit\u00e3o are definitely out. So is Bayern Munich and Germany forward Serge Gnabry after injuring his adductor in training.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the absence of Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri in recent weeks because of a groin injury is also worrying after he missed the majority of last season due to ACL damage. City manager Pep Guardiola has given positive updates about Rodri\u2019s recovery in recent days and the former Ballon d\u2019Or winner should play again this season.<\/p>

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Players and coaches have increasingly warned about the impact of an ever-packed playing schedule, and the expanded World Cup comes a year after the relaunched, supersized Club World Cup. The Champions League has also been expanded in recent years.<\/p>\n

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta describes the demand on players as \u201can accident waiting to happen.\u201d<\/p>

Read more Dodgers\u2019 overstuffed starting rotation could require difficult decision soon<\/a><\/p>\n