Injuries
Player injury news, recovery updates.
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Van Dijk's World Cup workload raises fresh fitness fears for Liverpool next season
Virgil van Dijk scored the opener and led every defensive metric as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in Dallas, but his extraordinary minute load — 5,841 since June 2025 — is raising concerns about his durability deep into the tournament and beyond.
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Yamal cleared to come off the bench for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been declared fit to feature against Cape Verde in Atlanta on Monday, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed, as the 18-year-old returns from a hamstring injury that ended his club season early.
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Injured and ruled out, Ekitike could still join France at 2026 World Cup
Absent from the 2026 World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, Hugo Ekitike is considering visiting his France teammates during the tournament, according to L'Équipe.
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Bouaddi chooses Morocco and definitively closes the door on France
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Lille midfielder and former French U-21 international, has officially opted for Morocco. At 18, he delivered a standout performance against Brazil (1-1) in his first 2026 World Cup match.
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Antonelli loses 18 points as engine failure ends Barcelona GP run from second
Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with three laps remaining at the Barcelona Grand Prix after an engine failure — Mercedes' second such DNF in three races — cutting his title lead over Lewis Hamilton from 59 to 41 points.
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Letexier steps in for injured Oliver to referee Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at World Cup 2026
Premier League referee Michael Oliver has withdrawn from Sunday's Group E clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador through injury. France's François Letexier, who officiated the Euro 2024 final, will take charge instead at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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Sidelined Aspinall bonds with Foden over shared absence from US sporting spotlight
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, ruled out by an eye injury, met Manchester City's Phil Foden — omitted from England's World Cup squad — as both Englishmen find themselves on the sidelines while major events unfold in the United States.
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Tornado warning forces England to shelter as World Cup 2026 preparations hit fresh disruption
Thomas Tuchel's England squad were forced indoors by a tornado warning in Kansas City ahead of their Group L opener against Croatia, days after training equipment was stolen before their arrival.
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Endo retires from international football after broken foot ends World Cup dream
Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan's World Cup squad and retired from international football after failing to recover from a broken left foot and ruptured ligament sustained in February. The Liverpool midfielder, 33, earned 73 caps for Japan since 2015.
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McTominay declared fit to start as Scotland open World Cup campaign against Haiti
Scott McTominay has recovered from a stomach bug to be named in Scotland's starting XI for their 2026 World Cup Group C opener against Haiti at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. Defender Scott McKenna remains sidelined with a calf problem.
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Ancelotti confirms Neymar injury rules him out of Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco
Neymar will miss Brazil's Group C opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium due to injury, with Carlo Ancelotti expecting the 34-year-old to rejoin training next week. His involvement against Haiti on June 20 is also in doubt.
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England recover stolen World Cup kit after Kane's boots and Tuchel's tactical board go missing
Harry Kane's boots, Jude Bellingham's boots, official World Cup balls and Thomas Tuchel's tactical whiteboards were stolen from an England team vehicle during the 1,238-mile road trip from Florida to Kansas City. Kansas City police arrested two suspects and sources say the missing items have since been recovered.
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115 minutes in a year: Monaco running out of patience with ghost Pogba
Back in the spotlight after signing with AS Monaco a year ago, Paul Pogba has played just 115 minutes across all competitions this season. The summer preparation could seal his future at the club.
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Morocco–Brazil: Five new starters expected for 2026 World Cup opener
New manager, Nayef Aguerd's absence and the integration of Chadi Riad, Issa Diop and Ayyoub Bouaddi: Morocco enters its first 2026 World Cup match against Brazil with a significantly reshuffled lineup compared to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
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England's World Cup camp hit by equipment theft days before Croatia opener
England's preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been disrupted after training gear and match balls were stolen in transit to their Missouri base. Unconfirmed reports suggest boots belonging to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham may also be among the missing items.
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Neymar set to miss Brazil's World Cup opener as Yamal and Pulisic also race to be fit
Neymar is almost certain to sit out Brazil's 2026 World Cup opener against Morocco on Saturday after sustaining a grade two calf injury. Spain's Lamine Yamal has returned to training but may be limited to a cameo against Cape Verde, while Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time in the USA's 4-1 win over Paraguay with a calf problem.
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McTominay returns to Scotland training after stomach illness sparked squad concern
Scott McTominay missed a Scotland training session in Boston and travelled separately to the team hotel due to a stomach issue, but the Napoli midfielder has since recovered and been declared fit by manager Steve Clarke ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti.
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Neymar ruled out against Morocco, Ancelotti hopes for return next week
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed at a press conference that Neymar will not be available for Brazil's opening match against Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. The injured Santos player could rejoin the squad the following week.
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Waratahs stand by Henry O'Donnell after 18-month ban for ADHD medication violation
NSW Waratahs centre Henry O'Donnell has accepted an 18-month anti-doping ban after testing positive for substances linked to ADHD medication during a May 2024 in-competition test. Sports Integrity Australia found the violation was unintentional and unrelated to performance enhancement.
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England's match boots stolen en route to Kansas City World Cup base as FIFA defends empty seats
Thomas Tuchel's England squad arrived at their World Cup 2026 training base in Kansas City to find match boots and balls had been stolen from a team vehicle during transit from Florida. Two suspects have been taken into custody by Kansas City Police.
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