Injuries
Player injury news, recovery updates.
-
Stones names comeback from injury as one of his 'greatest achievements' ahead of England's World Cup opener
John Stones, who considered retirement after an injury-ravaged two seasons at Manchester City, says his mental resilience through repeated setbacks ranks among his proudest accomplishments as he prepares for England's World Cup opener against Croatia.
Football -
Deschamps spares Mbappé ahead of France-Senegal by sending Kanté to press conference
On the eve of France's opening match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, Didier Deschamps kept Kylian Mbappé away from the press conference to spare him several hours of travel, instead sending vice-captain N'Golo Kanté.
Football -
De la Fuente confirms Yamal fit to feature against Cape Verde but not for 90 minutes
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has eased concerns over Lamine Yamal ahead of their World Cup 2026 Group H opener against Cape Verde, confirming the Barcelona forward is available but unlikely to play a full game.
Football -
Kubo leaves Netherlands vs Japan in wheelchair after knee scare in 2-2 World Cup draw
Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo was substituted on 75 minutes and later seen in a wheelchair after a collision with Denzel Dumfries in Japan's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Dallas. Japan's medical staff will assess him internally before Saturday's Group F clash with Tunisia.
Football -
Injury-plagued Bajcetic returns early to Liverpool training to stake his claim under Iraola
Stefan Bajcetic has cut short his summer break to begin pre-season work at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre, giving new head coach Andoni Iraola an unexpected option in midfield after the 21-year-old missed the entire 2024/25 season through injury.
Football -
Ojomoh recalled as Borthwick names 13 Premiership semi-final losers in England training squad
Bath centre Max Ojomoh returns to Steve Borthwick's England setup after being left out last month, joining 12 teammates from Bath and Leicester Tigers in a 33-man squad that includes eight uncapped players ahead of a France XV fixture in Vannes.
Rugby -
Calf injury rules Keiron Assiratti out of Wales' Nations Championship tour
Cardiff tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti has been withdrawn from Steve Tandy's Wales squad after suffering a calf injury in Cardiff's URC quarter-final defeat to the Stormers, ruling him out of July fixtures against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa.
Rugby -
Tuchel set to bench Rashford for England's World Cup opener against Croatia
Marcus Rashford looks likely to start on the bench when England face Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel expected to hand Anthony Gordon the left-wing berth in their Group L opener.
Football -
Erasmus adds uncapped Adre Smith to Springboks squad as lock stocks run thin
Stormers lock Adre Smith has been called into the South Africa squad ahead of Saturday's fixtures against Zimbabwe and the Barbarians in Gqeberha, becoming the second uncapped lock added amid injury concerns over Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager.
Rugby -
Topuria hospitalised with suspected broken orbital after Gaethje stops him to claim UFC lightweight title
Ilia Topuria was rushed to hospital in Washington D.C. after suffering severe eye damage and a body-shot stoppage at the hands of Justin Gaethje at UFC White House, ending his unbeaten record and handing Gaethje the undisputed lightweight championship.
MMA -
Spain's Yamal fit but benched as Iran face visa crisis on World Cup opening day
Spain begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 with Lamine Yamal available but not starting after an injury scare, while Iran face a political storm as 11 delegation members are denied US visas ahead of their match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Football -
Martínez's finger injury casts doubt over Argentina ahead of Algeria clash
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, still troubled by a right-hand finger injury, left Kansas City training grimacing. Should he be ruled out, Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille) would start against Algeria on Wednesday.
Football -
Tottenham target Van Hecke faces eye tests after facial injury in Holland's World Cup draw with Japan
Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, a Tottenham transfer target, suffered significant swelling to his right eye during the Netherlands' 2-2 World Cup draw with Japan in Dallas and will be assessed by Dutch medical staff on Monday.
Football -
Portugal squad to wear Diogo Jota tribute wristbands throughout 2026 World Cup campaign
Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal squad will wear FIFA-approved commemorative wristbands honouring Diogo Jota during their 2026 World Cup campaign, a personal gift from Prime Minister Luís Montenegro presented before the team departed for North America.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Football -
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.
Formula 1 -
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.
Football