10 Star Players Likely to Miss October’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Due to Injury

Injuries Sideline Key Players from the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in October 2025

As the October international break nears, a number of prominent footballers have been confirmed or are rumored to be sidelined due to injuries, ruling them out of their national teams’ 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. These absences are set to challenge coaches’ squad management and tactical approaches during pivotal fixtures across various continents.

Players Officially Ruled Out for October 2025 Qualifiers

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain / FC Barcelona)
   The young winger is currently recovering from a persistent groin injury, with Barcelona estimating a recovery period of two to three weeks. Consequently, Yamal will be unavailable for Spain’s upcoming qualifying games.
2. Martin Ødegaard (Norway / Arsenal)
   Norway’s captain has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to a medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee, ruling him out of Norway’s next qualifying matches.
3. Inaki Williams (Ghana / Athletic Bilbao)
   Ghana’s squad will miss the services of Williams, who is sidelined with a recent muscle overload injury in his leg, preventing his participation in the October qualifiers.
4. João Neves (Portugal / Paris Saint-Germain)
   Portugal will be without the promising midfielder João Neves, who has been withdrawn from the squad due to a left-thigh injury, leaving a significant void in the midfield for coach Roberto Martinez.
5. Edgar Sevikyan (Armenia / Akron)
   Sevikyan is set to miss Armenia’s matches against Hungary and Ireland after departing the national team camp early because of an injury.

Additional players confirmed or expected to miss the qualifiers include:

1. Lamine Yamal – Spain / FC Barcelona
2. Rodri – Spain / Manchester City
3. Reece James – England / Chelsea
4. Cole Palmer – England / Chelsea
5. Emiliano Martínez – Argentina / Aston Villa
6. Bright Osayi-Samuel – Nigeria / Birmingham
7. Mexx Meerdink – Netherlands / AZ Alkmaar
8. Ousmane Dembélé – France / Paris Saint-Germain
9. Joy-Lance Mickels – Germany / Borussia Dortmund II
10. Alisson Becker – Brazil / Liverpool
11. Relebohile Mofokeng – South Africa / Orlando Pirates
12. Bradley Barcola – France / Paris Saint-Germain
13. Iñaki Williams – Ghana / Athletic Bilbao
14. João Neves – Portugal / PSG
15. Cyriel Dessers – Nigeria / Panathinaikos

The loss of these influential players will compel national team managers to swiftly recalibrate their lineups, either by promoting less experienced squad members or tweaking their tactical setups to offset the missing talent. For some nations, especially those with limited squad depth, these injuries could significantly impact their qualification campaigns.

While some athletes may return for subsequent international breaks, the October qualifiers will undoubtedly present a formidable challenge for teams across Europe, Africa, and other regions as they contend with the unpredictable nature of injuries during such critical stages.

Stay updated with the Latest Sports News and Follow us on X and Facebook for real-time updates