Holding a FIFA World Cup in the middle of many significant leagues’ domestic seasons was always problematic for several reasons. Not the least is the tendency for players to miss out due to injury.
Even if a few players missing the tournament is nothing new, the problem is made worse this time since club competitions will continue up to a week before Qatar 2022 kicks off. They are packing in more games and giving players less time to recover.
Unfortunately, many names have already been ruled out. More are constantly added to the list of athletes battling against time to regain fitness.
Definitely out of Qatar 2022
Paul Pogba: The midfielder was instrumental in helping France win the World Cup in Russia four years ago, but he will be out due to a persistent knee ailment.
N’Golo Kante: Formed the heart of the France team in 2018 alongside Pogba but will miss Qatar due to a hamstring injury that requires surgery.
Diogo Jota: The Liverpool forward has established himself as a crucial player for Portugal, but he faces months of recovery after suffering a catastrophic calf injury against Man City.
Gini Wijnaldum: He will not be able to play again until early in the new year due to a broken leg sustained just days after his Roma debut. It will prevent him from competing for a spot at his new club and competing for the World Cup.
Pedro Neto: Portuguese forward Neto will miss the tournament after sustaining ankle ligament damage playing for Wolves against West Ham.
Ben Chilwell: After a diagnostic revealed a “severe” hamstring injury, he will miss the World Cup. Chilwell won’t be able to participate in the Qatar tournament due to “a serious injury,” Chelsea stated on Saturday.
Timo Werner: Timo Werner will not compete in the Qatar 2022 World Cup due to an ankle injury he sustained during RB Leipzig’s victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
RB Leipzig confirm that Timo Werner will be out for the rest of 2022 after suffering an ankle injury against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Another player missing the mid-season World Cup 🤕 pic.twitter.com/zNGaT3Y2tH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 3, 2022
Players at risk of missing the World Cup
Paulo Dybala: For the chance to play for Argentina at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Paulo Dybala must compete for fitness after taking a penalty for his team, Roma, and damaging a thigh muscle.
Mike Maignan: The calf injury suffered by the AC Milan goalkeeper, who would have been France’s No. 2 behind Hugo Lloris, is anticipated to keep him out until the new year.
Jesus Corona: Having sustained an ACL injury over the summer, the Mexican winger is in doubt for Qatar 2022.
Miles Robinson: The 25-year-old center-back for USA and Atlanta United tore his Achilles in May and has not yet made a comeback.
Mikel Oyarzabal: Spanish winger who tore his ACL in March is already back in training with Real Sociedad. He still has a lot of work to do before the squads are announced to demonstrate his health.
Raphael Varane: The French center-back suffered a hamstring injury during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea last month. As he works to heal in time for Qatar, he has uploaded photos from France’s renowned Clairefontaine training facility.
Raphael Varane was in tears as he came off injured 💔
The World Cup is a month away… pic.twitter.com/KVqmRcFWOq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 22, 2022
Reece James: The Chelsea and England wingback is now receiving rehabilitation in Dubai after suffering a knee injury while playing in the Champions League. He is hoping to recover in time to participate in the World Cup.
Kyle Walker: The England and Manchester City defender, who has been crucial to Gareth Southgate’s success in recent competitions, is currently recovering from groin surgery, but he hopes to be ready for the competition.
Son Heung-min: The Spurs and South Korea forward will have surgery for a facial fracture he suffered in the Champions League match against Marseille. Before being replaced and stumbling down the tunnel, he needed extensive treatment on the field.
Kalvin Phillips: The Manchester City midfielder, a cornerstone of England’s journey to the Euro 2020 final, has been sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and is still doubtful.
Manuel Neuer: The Bayern Munich manager, Julian Nagelsmann, stated that the Germany goalkeeper only needs to rest his shoulder for the time being. However, the goalie is anticipated to return sometime in the coming weeks.
Leroy Sane: Germany’s winger has a torn thigh muscle, which is of more significant concern. They had thought he would play against Inter, but Sane fell short.
Ronald Araujo: There is still a slim chance that the crucial Uruguay and Barcelona defender will recover from thigh surgery in time for the tournament. However, the original schedule had him returning in December as the best-case scenario.
Florian Wirtz: Despite being named to the initial 55-man squad, the Leverkusen forward has been sidelined with an ACL injury and doesn’t seem likely to recover in time to play a part in Germany boss Hansi Flick’s final plans.
Alphonso Davies: Julian Nagelsmann, the manager of Bayern Munich, has stated that Alphonso Davies appears to have hurt his muscle during the win over Hertha BSC on Saturday. “Have to wait and see what comes tomorrow,” said Nagelsmann.
Alphonso Davies had to come off after appearing to suffer an injury.
The World Cup is in two weeks 😢 pic.twitter.com/mBt7uEcULl
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 5, 2022
There are also likes of Richarlison, Romelu Lukaku, Simon Kjaer, Wesley Fofana, Lucas Hernandez, Jules Kunde, Kamara, Memphis Depay, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, and Sergio Reguilon are also doubtful to make it to the World Cup.
