Some World Cup teams will be without top players for games in Kansas City
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Leonardo Balerdi will miss Argentina's World Cup tournament.
- Emiliano Martínez had a small right-ring-finger fracture but will be ready.
- Algeria faces goalkeeper issues after injuries to Mandrea and Mastil; Zidane played.
Argentina won’t be at 100% when it takes the pitch in Kansas City to begin defense of its World Cup title.
Leonardo Balerdi, who plays for Olympique de Marseille, suffered a calf injury a few days ago and will miss the tournament.
“Defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg and will not be able to be part of the squad that will play the World Cup,” Argentina wrote Saturday on X. “Chin up, stay strong, and a speedy recovery, Flaco!”
Goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu’” Martínez didn’t play in Argentina’s warm-up match against Honduras on Saturday. ESPN said Martinez “suffered a small fracture of the ring finger on his right hand” last month but said he will be ready when the World Cup begins.
Martínez used one hand at times during a practice in Kansas City last week.
Most injury attention will be on superstar Lionel Messi, who had a hamstring issue days before the team arrived in Kansas City. But he is expected to play when the World Cup matches begin.
Here are other teams that will play World Cup matches in Kansas City that are dealing with injured players that could keep them from playing.
Algeria goalkeeping ‘crisis’
Reuters reported that Algeria was facing a “crisis” with its goalkeepers.
This is from their story: “Oussama Benbot, retired from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the end of the year, could prove the solution to a dilemma that has befallen the side after injuries left Melvin Mastil and Luca Zidane doubtful and Anthony Mandrea ruled out.”
Zidane suffered a broken jaw in April, while Mandrea has a torn ligament in his knee. Mastil had hernia surgery last month. However, Zidane played in Algeria’s 1-0 win over Holland last week. He had five saves, a sign he could be the team’s choice for Algeria’s opener against Argentina.
Good news for Curaçao
Rotowire said Curaçao wing Kenji Gorre suffered a knee injury late in his season with club side Maccabi Haifa. But Gorre was on the bench for a warm-up match against Scotland last week.
Ecuador mising MLS player
New England Revolution forward Leo Campana announced he will miss the World Cup due to a lower-body injury, according to Boston 25. He has made 20 appearances for the Ecuadorian national team.
Tunisia holding its breath
Central midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, arguably Tunisia’s best player, limped off the field during a warm-up game against Austria, according to the Score. His status for the World Cup is not known, so the team will be holding its breath in hopes he can play.
Dutch trio is out
The Dutch squad will be without attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, who tore the ACL in his right knee in April while playing for Tottenham. Defensive star Matthijs De Ligt also won’t play in the World Cup after undergoing back surgery.
Midfielder Jerdy Schouten also had surgery for an ACL injury, which happened in April, and he will be out for the Netherlands.
‘Bitter’ loss for Austria
Midfielder Christoph Baumgartner suffered a thigh injury during Austria’s match against Tunisia and will miss the World Cup.
“This is of course very bitter news for Christoph and for us as a team,” Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick said on the Bundesliga website. “He’s an important player and a key figure within our squad. Now we’re giving him our full support in his recovery.”
