With the 2026 World Cup just 46 days away, the "injury bug" has begun to bite the tournament's biggest stars. While the medical bulletins for Mohamed Salah and Lamine Yamal suggest they are in a race against time, the situation for others including Hugo Ekitike and Germany's core looks far more precarious.
Here is the current status of the high-profile players currently occupying the treatment room.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Egypt’s talismanic captain sent shockwaves through Cairo after limping off during Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace. National team director Ibrahim Hassan has confirmed a hamstring tear, ruling him out of the remainder of the Premier League season.
However, with a recovery window of four weeks, Salah is expected to be fit for Egypt's Group G opener against Belgium on 15 June. Having played through a shoulder injury in 2018, the 33-year-old’s durability is rarely questioned, and he remains the Pharaohs' best hope for a knockout stage berth.
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
The 18-year-old Barcelona sensation is dealing with a Grade II tear in his left biceps femoris. While Barcelona have officially ended his club season to focus on a "conservative treatment plan," the 4–6 week recovery timeline puts him back on the grass in the first week of June.
The risk for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is match fitness. Yamal may be included in the final squad but could realistically miss the opening fixture against Cape Verde to ensure he is ready for the pivotal clash against Uruguay on 27 June.
Hugo Ekitike (France)
Though not mentioned in your provided text, Ekitike’s status has been a growing concern in French media following a knee sprain suffered in training. Unlike Salah’s muscular issue, Ekitike’s recovery has been slower than anticipated. With France’s immense depth in attack, Didier Deschamps may be less inclined to gamble on a player who isn't at 100% by the end of May.
Germany’s Double Blow
The outlook is bleakest for the four-time champions. Serge Gnabry has already officially withdrawn, confirming he will support the team "from home" due to a torn adductor. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen faces a "very slim" chance of featuring, leaving Julian Nagelsmann to likely turn to 35-year-old Oliver Baumann to guard the net in North America.
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