World Cup injuries 2022 tracker: List of players who could miss out on Qatar due to injury

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is the first World Cup to be held in the months of November and December, and the timing is already having an impact on the participating teams.

Due to the intense summer heat in host nation Qatar, the World Cup had to be moved from the usual June-July window. While the scheduling change will make for better playing conditions for the players, it has also posed a challenge for a number of squads.

Since the World Cup tournament falls smack in the middle of the European club season, rather than during the off-season which has been customary, it means any players injured in the weeks leading up to the World Cup are in danger of missing the tournament.

In past editions, these players had several weeks to recover prior to the tournament’s kickoff, but this time around there is precious little time between the break from club play (November 14) and the start of the World Cup on Sunday, November 20.

Australia injuries World Cup 2022

Ajdin Hrustic: There was concern around the ankle injury that kept him out for three matches with Hellas Verona in Italy, but he is expected to be back by the World Cup and he’s on the final 26-man squad. With 20 caps to his name, the attacking midfielder is a key component of the Australia squad in Qatar when healthy.

Harry Souttar: The 24-year-old center-back suffered an ACL tear back in November of 2021. Despite only just returning to the bench for Stoke City on November 5, he also made the final 26-man squad, although his match fitness is another question entirely. He incredibly has six goals in his 10 caps for Australia.

Argentina injuries World Cup 2022

Angel Di Maria: Having already announced that 2022 would be his final World Cup, Angel Di Maria has struggled with a number of injuries this season, going down in early October with a quad injury, but he has returned to training and should be available.

Paulo Dybala: Suffered a torn hamstring on October 9 while taking and scoring a penalty. Looked initially unlikely he would be available for the World Cup, but recent reports have indicated he could make a recovery in time.

Giovani Lo Celso: He suffered a torn quad on October 30. Parent club Tottenham want him to undergo surgery, but player may opt to play through the injury at World Cup. His status is uncertain, but his involvement is looking unlikely.

Belgium injuries World Cup 2022

Romelu Lukaku: It’s been an injury-plagued season for Lukaku, who returned from a hamstring injury for one match, only to go down with a quad injury on October 29. He will miss the rest of Inter’s club matches before the break, and his chances of being fit for the World Cup are truly up in the air.

Thomas Meunier: The wing-back suffered a fractured cheekbone on October 20. He is out of club action until the break but is “hopeful” of being available for the World Cup.

Brazil injuries World Cup 2022

Bremer: The Juventus center-back was withdrawn from club action on October 15 with a quad injury, but returned to availability in early November and was selected for the final roster.

Lucas Paqueta: The midfielder, in good form at West Ham, suffered a shoulder injury on October 16, but returned to club action on November 6 as a substitute, and will be available for the World Cup.

Richarlison: He has been out with a calf injury since October 15 and has yet to return for Spurs, but he was still added by Tite to the final squad.

Canada injuries World Cup 2022

Alphonso Davies: Canada fans held their collective breath as Davies limped off with a hamstring injury on November 5, with just precious few days to go before the tournament. There was a sigh of relief, though, as Bayern confirmed that Davies would be available for the World Cup , although he’ll miss the German side’s final two club matches before the break.

Costa Rica injuries World Cup 2022

Keylor Navas: Unable to get any game time at PSG behind a surging Gianluigi Donnarumma, Navas suddenly cropped up with a back injury in early November.

It’s possible that at 35 years old, the club is allowing him to rest for the World Cup knowing he’s not going to play ahead of Donnarumma. But it is one to monitor during the World Cup since he’s Costa Rica’s unquestioned leader and superstar.

Croatia injuries World Cup 2022

Marcelo Brozovic: Out since mid-September with a hamstring injury, Brozovic returned to club action with Inter just in time, playing a handful of minutes in the November 6 Derby d’Italia against Juventus. He should be fit for the World Cup, which is a massive boost for the 2018 runners-up.

Denmark injuries World Cup 2022

Andreas Christensen: One of many Barcelona defenders suffering through injury trouble, Christensen returned from a sprained ankle to make a cameo on Nov. 5 against Almeria. He was included on the final roster.

Ecuador injuries World Cup 2022

Robert Arboleda: The 30-year-old center-back last played for his Brazilian club team Sao Paulo back on June 19, missing months due to a fractured ankle. He will get a chance to show if he can contribute in a friendly against Iraq on Nov. 12.

Ayrton Preciado: The Santos Laguna forward missed the entire season with his Mexican club due to a leg fracture, but he too will get a chance to show national team boss Gustavo Alfaro how far he’s come against Iraq on Nov. 12.

England injuries for World Cup 2022

Reece James: One of the most devastating injuries for any team at the World Cup involves England full-back Reece James, who was in fantastic form with Chelsea before he suffered a knee injury against Wolves on October 8. Would Gareth Southgate bring him to Qatar and wait for him to gain his fitness with the team?

Kyle Walker: Another critical England defender struggling for fitness is Kyle Walker who has been missing with a groin injury since October 2. He’s a true question mark for the World Cup, with Pep Guardiola saying in early November he’s still not sure when Walker will be fit to play. One to watch for sure as the World Cup nears.

France injuries World Cup 2022

Lucas Hernandez: At least there’s some good news for France. Out for most of September and all of October with an adductor tear, Lucas Hernandez returned to action with Bayern Munich on November 5 and will be fit for the World Cup, barring any new injury setbacks.

N’Golo Kante: The Chelsea midfielder has been injury prone his whole career, and succumbed to a hamstring issue early in the Premier League season. He’s been out since mid-August and was ruled out of the World Cup a number of weeks before the tournament.

Mike Maignan: There’s a worry between the pipes for France as AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is struggling with a calf injury and was ruled out of club action through the new year by head coach Stefano Pioli. There’s no word on his World Cup availability, and he should start over Hugo Lloris if included, but that seems a big question mark at this point.

Paul Pogba: A knee injury in pre-season kept Pogba out of action for Juventus all season, and while it was thought he could recover in time for the World Cup, he suffered a thigh injury during his recovery, ruling him out of the World Cup . It’s a brutal blow to France, who will be missing both their starting midfielders in Qatar.

Raphael Varane: The Man United defender came off in tears in late October, and while he will miss the rest of the Red Devils’ slate before the World Cup break, he should be back in time for the World Cup. His status is not confirmed, making it a true 50/50 situation.

Germany injuries for World Cup 2022

Leroy Sane: It was a scare when Leroy Sane went down with a hamstring tear in mid-October, but he returned to action for Bayern Munich with a 15-minute cameo on November 5 and should be fit for the World Cup unless any new issue crops up.

Timo Werner: It’s heartbreak for Timo Werner, who was recovering his form after moving to RB Leipzig this past summer. He limped off in the 19th minute of Leipzig’s Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on November 2 and is out for the World Cup with a foot injury.

Florian Wirtz: The Bayer Leverkusen attacker has been out all season as he recovers from an ACL tear suffered back in March, but reports have surfaced over the past few months that he could return specifically for the World Cup, and may be included in Hansi Flick’s squad. One to watch, as it would be risky to give Wirtz his first competitive action in nine months at the World Cup.

Iran injuries World Cup 2022

Sardar Azmoun: With 65 caps at 27 years old, Sardar Azmoun is one of the most important players in the Iran squad.

He has been missing for Bayer Leverkusen since early October with a calf tear, and his prognosis at the time was a six to eight-week recovery. That’s a race against time, and since he’s yet to return to action, his status at this point has to be considered doubtful. That would be a big loss for Iran.

Morocco injuries World Cup 2022

Youssef En-Nesyri: A key member of the Morocco attack is a worry as En-Nesyri missed two matches with a hamstring injury and then came off the bench in the Seville derby against Real Betis on Nov. 6.

He’s yet to score a goal in La Liga this season and is generally in poor form with the rest of his club team, but he’s talented enough to find away onto the final squad barring any fitness setbacks.

Poland injuries World Cup 2022

Jakub Moder: With 20 caps at age 23, the Brighton midfielder would be a likely contributor for Poland, but an ACL tear in early April likely leaves him on the outside looking in. He has not yet appeared for Brighton this season.

Qatar injuries for World Cup 2022

Abdullah Al-Ahrak: The Al-Duhail midfielder suffered an ACL tear in January and has not made a single appearance this year with the injury ruling him out of the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia injuries for World Cup 2022

Saleh Al-Shehri: The center forward for Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal has returned from an Achilles tear, making his first appearance on October 6. He should be fit for selection for the World Cup.

USA injuries World Cup 2022

Sergino Dest: The full-back has been a backup this season at AC Milan, but at least has seen the field more often than he did at Barcelona. He missed the match on November 5 with adductor fatigue, but it shouldn’t keep him out of the World Cup.

Weston McKennie: The midfielder was forced off at halftime on October 29 with a thigh injury and missed the subsequent match for Juventus. It throws McKennie’s status for the World Cup up in the air. He’s a true 50/50 situation at this point, but there’s hope he can prove fit for Juventus before the tournament begins.

Miles Robinson: Slated to start at center-back alongside Walker Zimmerman at the World Cup, Robinson went down with a long-term injury in May and will miss the World Cup. The Atlanta United turf has been a touchy topic after a number of his teammates also suffered injuries this past season.