Compiled by Thinley Namgay 

As the World Cup inches closer, national team managers are having a hard time ensuring a  competent squad for the tournament owing to injuries picked during the club games.

Many potential players for the World Cup are racing against time to regain their fitness after undergoing knee, sprained achilles, or hamstring injuries.

The world is going to miss some of the biggest football stars due to injuries.

Game changers like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante of France, Argentine and FC Roma’s star Paulo Dybala and Gini Wijnaldum, a Dutch sensational will be out of the Qatar World Cup due to injury.




There could be also a potential heartbreak for fans around the world as the Raphael Varane of France, German’s Manuel Neuer and South Korea’s Son Heung-Min are also injured.

Brazilian star Richarlison has also missed the games for Tottenham Hotspur for the last few weeks. Arthur Melo, Bremer, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and  Gabriel of Brazil are facing an uphill battle to win their places in the World Cup squad.

Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is the latest England player to suffer a major injury. Reece James, Kyle Walker, Bukayo Saka and Kalvin Phillips of England are also gearing up for their fitness. England’s manager Gareth Southgate is set to declare the 26-member national squad on November 10 but the mounting injuries are the biggest blow to him.

Belgium’s manager Roberto Martinez’s big concern is for Romelu Lukaku, who plays for Inter Milan FC. Lukaku couldn’t play many games this season due to a hamstring injury.  The striker has played against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, but he has suffered a relapse and is likely to be out of the team for a few weeks.




Belgium Winger Alexis Saelemaekers had a knee injury, while Thomas Meunier broke his cheekbone on October 20.

From the France national team, Lucas Hernandez, Boubacar Kamara, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are in various states of recovery. Defender Fofana damaged his knee in a Champions League match in October, and Aston Villa’s Kamara tore his knee ligaments in September.

In the Spain squad, defender Sergio Reguilon is close to a return after groin troubles and Gerard Moreno missed most of last season with hamstring injuries.  Mikel Oyarzabal is back in training after seven months out.

Portugal’s striker Diego Jota who currently plays for Liverpool FC will miss the World Cup after injuring his thigh during the game against Manchester United last month.  Pedro Neto will be also out of the World Cup.  The highly experienced Pepe also had a sprain injury.




Mexican’s Raul Jimenez has not played a single game since August owing to an injured groin. Winger Tecatito will not play in the World Cup and Jesus Corona is not sure about the tournament.

Memphis Depay of the Netherlands is less likely to play in the World Cup.  He didn’t play for Barcelona since last month.  Centre back Matthijs de Ligt underwent a knee injury and  Marten de Roon suffered a hamstring.

Germany is also worried about the fitness of many stars having already lost striker Timo Werner to an ankle injury. Bayern’s Leroy Sane and Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus are in doubt.

South Korea’s World Cup hopes are hanging desperately owing to the injury of star Son Heung-Min. He is expected to undergo surgery.




Wales has Joe Allen suffering from a hamstring injury. Ronald Araujo is not expected to feature for Uruguay but Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic is nearing a return for Inter Milan.

Andreas Christensen of Denmark didn’t play for three weeks for Barcelona but is expected to go to Qatar. Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata and Robert Arbeloda are under observation.

Iran’s Allahyar Sayyadmanesh is trying to recover.  Meanwhile, Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi will not be in the squad and Takuma Asano and Ko Itakura are in doubt.




Jakub Moder of Poland will miss the tournament while Pawel Dawidowicz remains doubtful. Serbian Ivan Ilicic and Pawel Dawidowicz are also not sure for the competition.

Miles Robinson of the USA is recovering from an injury.