Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury during Liverpool FC’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old forward was stretchered off during the quarter-final second leg at Anfield after appearing to rupture his Achilles, dealing a major blow to both club and country.
Ekitike had been enjoying a strong debut season at Liverpool following his £69 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 17 goals across all competitions.
Huge setback for France ahead of World Cup
The injury rules him out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer.
Ekitike had recently become an important squad option for France national team, scoring twice in his last four appearances and emerging as a key backup to Kylian Mbappé.
His absence leaves France short of attacking depth heading into the tournament, with the striker having made eight international appearances so far, reports Aljazeera
Liverpool’s defeat to PSG saw them exit the Champions League with a 4-0 aggregate loss, compounding a difficult night that also resulted in a long-term injury to one of their key attacking players.
The timeline for Ekitike’s recovery remains uncertain, though Achilles injuries typically require several months of rehabilitation, making his participation in the World Cup impossible.
COMMENTS