Confirming a tough blow for France at the 2026 World Cup: a serious injury
The French national team and Liverpool received one of the worst possible pieces of news in the decisive stretch of the season. Hugo Ekitiké, a 23-year-old forward who had been establishing himself as one of Didier Deschamps' great offensive alternatives, suffered a very serious injury during the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against PSG and, as confirmed this Wednesday by the French coach himself, will not be able to play for the rest of the campaign, nor will he be at the 2026 North American World Cup.
TL;DR
- Hugo Ekitiké, a 23-year-old French forward, has sustained a serious injury.
- The injury occurred during Liverpool's Champions League match against PSG.
- Initial assessments suggest a torn Achilles tendon, requiring a long recovery period.
- Ekitiké will miss the remainder of the season and the 2026 North American World Cup.
- His absence is a significant blow to both the French national team and his club, Liverpool.
- Didier Deschamps confirmed the player will not be fit for the World Cup.
- Ekitiké had been a growing offensive option for France, with two goals in eight appearances.
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot must now reorganize his attack without Ekitiké for the Premier League's closing stages.