5 Players Missing out on the World Cup Due to Injury

It’s heartbreak again for Marco Reus, who once again misses a major tournament due to injury.

The Borussia Dortmund captain had played nine Bundesliga games so far for the German side and was finding some form that would have likely seen him head to Qatar with Germany.

Reus had injury problems that prevented him from joining his national team colleagues when they won the World Cup in 2014, as well as issues that kept him out of the squad for Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

It could have been the last chance for the 33-year-old to represent his country at the World Cup, but that will not be the case following the ankle ligament damage Reus picked up in Dortmund’s derby against Schalke earlier in the season.

England are blessed with plenty of talent in the right-back position heading into the World Cup, but one of those that won’t be heading to Qatar is Reece James.

The Chelsea full-back has been one of the best in his position this season, with competition from the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, and Kieran Trippier causing selection dilemmas for Gareth Southgate. However, the knee injury that James picked up earlier in the campaign has kept him on the sidelines and prevented him from joining up with the national side.

There was speculation that maybe James could be included in the squad as he could have potentially made a return in time, as is the case with Walker. Unfortunately for the Chelsea wing-back, Southgate did not take that risk and James will miss out.

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota will not feature at the World Cup for Portugal, after picking up a serious calf injury when the Reds beat Manchester City in October. Jota was a regular feature for Portugal and played in five of the seven qualifying games for Fernando Santos’ team.

There is plenty of strong options for Portugal to replace him with, with the likes of Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, and Bernardo Silva all capable of playing in the positions that Jota occupied. It’s still a big blow for his club and country though, with the former Wolves attacker now looking at the new year as a potential comeback date.

One of the key players at the heart of the French side that went on to lift the World Cup at the last tournament, N'Golo Kante, will not feature in Qatar.

The Chelsea man has had to have an operation following a hamstring injury that has kept the tireless midfielder out for the tournament and beyond.

France have many options to that could replace Kante, but it will still be a huge miss for the defending champions, with one of their best midfielders out for competition.

Christopher Nkunku has been in fantastic form for RB Leipzig over the past few seasons, which rightly earned him a place in Didier Deschamps’ France World Cup squad. Nkunku’s opportunity to represent the World Champions on the biggest stage has been cut short though in devastating fashion.

Nkunku’s World Cup was over before it had even begun after the French attacker received an injury after a tackle from teammate Eduardo Cammavinga in training. It means that, despite travelling to Qatar with the side, Nkunku will be out for the World Cup after sustaining what looked to be a leg injury from the tackle.