THE 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than two weeks away and several players face a race against time to ensure they take to the pitch in North America.
While many have earned their places in the final squads, fitness concerns loom – and a Champions League final is also yet to take place.
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The World Cup kicks off on June 11 Credit: Getty
Emi Martinez is in danger of missing some of Argentina’s campaign with a finger injury Credit: Getty
Even England have their own worries heading into the tournament despite boss Thomas Tuchel picking an already controversial squad.
With some of the biggest names on offer working hard to get fit to represent their country, JattvibeSport has put together an entire starting XI of players in danger of missing out.
Emi Martinez – Argentina
The Aston Villa stopper suffered a fractured finger as he kept a clean sheet in the club’s 3-0 Europa League final win over Freiburg.
He did not feature on the final day of the season for Villa and, luckily, he has avoided surgery. It’s estimated the two-time FIFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper will recover in around three weeks.
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Tino Livramento – England
The Newcastle full-back has been plagued with injuries this season that have really prevented him from any sustained form, but he still beat Trent Alexander-Arnold for a place on the plane.
The 23-year-old is currently struggling with a thigh problem. He hasn’t played since April 18th, but is expected to be fit from early June.
Cristian Romero – Argentina
The Spurs skipper missed the relegation run-in for the club with a knee problem.
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Cristian Romero is one of the cornerstone of the Argentine team Credit: AFP
He has been out since the middle of April, but Tottenham still managed to narrowly avoid slipping into England’s second tier. Romero has been rehabilitating in his homeland in a bid to make the World Cup – though he briefly flew back to England to support Spurs on the final day of the Premier League amid plenty of criticism.
Jurrien Timber – Netherlands
The Premier League’s best right-back has had a torrid end to the season with an ankle issue and then a hip injury robbing him of truly basking in Arsenal‘s long-awaited glory.
He is considered touch-and-go for the Champions League final showdown against PSG, so he should just about make the World Cup.
Alphonso Davies – Canada
The flying wing-back has been out of action since picking up a muscle injury in the second-leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG compounding just a miserable season for him.
Davies made just six Bundesliga starts as he battled back from a cruciate ligament tear, illness and a partially torn hamstring this term. He has been out for just over three weeks – it’s going to be tight.
Mikel Merino – Spain
The Spaniard made his return for the Gunners on the final day of the Premier League season, managing 29 minutes after fracturing his foot in January.
Although he has graced the pitch again, he still has to get through the Champions League final and get match sharp in time for the World Cup.
Mikel Merino scored an important goal for Spain en route to their Euros success Credit: Getty
Wataru Endo – Japan
It wasn’t the most memorable season for Liverpool‘s Mr. Reliable.
He only made one Premier League start for Liverpool last term and in that very game, he ruptured his ankle ligaments. He was on the bench for the last game of the season, but did not see action.
Arda Guler – Turkey
Expected to be one of the stars of the tournament, Real Madrid‘s 21-year-old sensation had his season ended with a hamstring tear in April.
Turkey are desperately hoping he recovers in time, a la England and David Beckham back in 2002.
Lamine Yamal – Spain
Perhaps the best player in the world right now, what kind of World Cup would it be without him?
The 18-year-old hasn’t been seen since he hurt his hamstring against Celta Vigo on April 22. It’s likely he will miss the first game of the tournament, but Spain are banking on him to return when it matters.
Lamine Yamal will be the main man for Spain and is worth the risk Credit: Getty
Neymar – Brazil
Just as the fairytale took hold, drama reared its ugly head again for the 34-year-old. Just days after being named in the squad, Neymar suffered a problem with his right calf.
His availability for Brazil‘s first World Cup game against Morocco on June 13 now appears to be in doubt with the team’s doctor saying the Santos forward will be sidelined for up to three weeks as of yesterday.
Neymar only just made the Brazil squad, this injury is the last thing he needs Credit: Getty
Lionel Messi – Argentina
At the worst possible time, Messi was subbed off in Inter Miami‘s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union five days ago, heading straight to the locker room and clutching his left thigh.
The team doctor announced the initial diagnosis is “an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.” There is no concrete timeline for his return, but it’s believed he will feature.
