Johnny Cardoso to Miss World Cup Due to Ankle Injury
May 13, 2026 • Al Jazeera
US Soccer Team Loses Midfielder to Injury Ahead of World Cup
Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso is set to undergo surgery on his right ankle due to a severe sprain sustained during training last Thursday. The La Liga club confirmed the news in a statement, stating that the injury has affected the joint.
Cardoso’s injury is the latest setback for the 24-year-old, who has struggled with injuries throughout his debut season at Atletico Madrid. He also saw limited action during the March international window, playing only 45 minutes in a friendly against Belgium.
The US Soccer team, which will co-host the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, is already facing injury concerns. Captain Christian Pulisic recently missed matches for AC Milan due to a muscular problem, while Olympique de Marseille winger Tim Weah and Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Tanner Tessmann have also been sidelined.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name his 26-man World Cup squad later this month. The team will play warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6, before opening their Group D campaign against Paraguay in California on June 12. They will also face Australia and Turkey at the World Cup.
The US Soccer team’s injury list continues to grow as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.
Source: Al Jazeera