The star players who could miss this summer’s World Cup through injury

Several big-name stars could be forced to miss the World Cup through injury.

Many have already been ruled out completely while several others remain doubts for football’s biggest competition.

Here are the key players who will or look in danger of missing at least some of the tournament…

Spain: Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino

Barcelona have said that Yamal is expected to be available for the World Cup despite having sustained a knee injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Merino, meanwhile, has been out since January with a foot injury and it is unclear whether he could return in time for the tournament.

Germany: Serge Gnabry

Gnabry is set to miss the tournament with an adductor injury, saying he will “support the boys from home”.

Brazil: Rodrygo, Estevao and Eder Militao

Brazil are facing the possibility of three key absences for the tournament.

Rodrygo is certain to miss out after suffering a serious knee injury, along with Militao who has a hamstring injury.

Estevao has been ruled out for Chelsea until the end of the season with a hamstring injury and faces a race to be fit.

France: Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike ruptured his Achilles while playing for Liverpool in the Champions League quarter final against PSG and will be out for the World Cup.

England: Ben White, Tino Livramento

Arsenal defender White was forced off with what looked like a knee injury in his side’s win over West Ham, with boss Mikel Arteta admitting afterwards that it “doesn’t look good”.

Livramento, meanwhile, is expected to miss the rest of Newcastle’s season but whether he makes the World Cup or not is yet unclear.

Netherlands: Xavi Simons, Jerdy Schouten

Simons has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury in Spurs’ win over Wolves on Saturday. Schouten, meanwhile, has also suffered a torn ACL, with the Dutch suffering two significant injury blows in midfield.

Argentina: Cristian Romero

Romero will not play again for Spurs this season with a knee injury but his boss Roberto De Zerbi says he is hopeful that the defender will play in the World Cup.

Croatia: Luka Modric

The 40-year-old looked certain to play in his last ever World Cup but will undergo ‌surgery for a fractured left cheekbone.

He could well still play but will likely have to wear a protective mask.

Egypt: Mo Salah

Liverpool say they expect Mo Salah back before the end of the season after suffering a “minor” injury but he is still yet to return.

Ghana: Mo Kudus

The Spurs winger has been out since January and has suffered a setback in his recovery, placing his World Cup in doubt.

Turkey: Arda Guler

The Real Madrid man has suffered a hamstring injury but is hoping to play a part for Turkey at the tournament.

Morocco: Achraf Hakimi

The PSG right-back sustained a hamstring injury against Bayern Munich and is currently sidelined, but is hopeful of recovering in time for the summer.

Japan: Wataru Endo, Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma

Liverpool midfielder Endo has been out since February with a serious ankle injury. Monaco winger Minamino suffered an ACL injury last year but has been back in training in a bid to make the tournament.

The biggest blow could be missing Mitoma, however, with the Brighton winger forced off against Wolves with what looked to be a hamstring issue.

Canada: Alphonso Davies

The Bayern Munich full-back is facing several weeks on the sidelines following an injury against PSG in the Champions League semi-final second leg, making him a doubt for the tournament’s start at the least.

USA: Johnny Cardoso and Patrick Agyemang

Atletico Madrid midfielder Cardoso has suffered an ankle sprain, putting his place at the tournament in jeopardy. Derby County striker Agyemang, meanwhile, is certain to miss out with a torn Achilles.