Injury concerns raise doubt over participation of three top players in World Cup

April 26, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Injury concerns raise doubt over participation of three top players in World Cup

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Multiple high-profile football players are facing setbacks ahead of the World Cup, which is set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian forward playing for Liverpool, has suffered a hamstring injury during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The injury will keep him out of action for the remainder of his club’s season.

Salah’s teammate, Lamine Yamal, also faces uncertainty due to a hamstring injury sustained in Spain. Barcelona announced that Yamal’s domestic season is over, but it remains unclear whether he will be fit to represent Spain at the World Cup.

Other notable players who are struggling with injuries include Brazil’s trio, Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Egypt’s national team director, Ibrahim Hassan confirmed that Salah would require four weeks of treatment for his hamstring injury. German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann stated that ter Stegen’s chances of playing in the tournament were “very slim”.

The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, with several key players facing a tight deadline to recover from their injuries and prove their fitness. The tournament will feature teams such as Spain, Brazil, and Germany, who are all expected to be contenders for the championship.

Here is a list of some of the major players who have sustained injuries ahead of the World Cup:

  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) - hamstring injury
  • Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona) - hamstring injury
  • Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany) - severe hamstring injury
  • Serge Gnabry (Germany) - no specific injury mentioned

The teams’ participation in the tournament is subject to change based on the players’ recovery progress.

Source: Al Jazeera