France loses key player ahead of 2026 World Cup

France has lost a key player, according to reports, ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to commence in June.

In a devastating blow to Didier Deschamps’ World Cup preparations, France international Hugo Ekitike has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The injury occurred during the 28th minute of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old striker collapsed while attempting to pivot, immediately clutching his right ankle before being stretchered off in visible distress.

Reports from L’Équipe on Wednesday morning confirmed the worst-case scenario: a complete rupture that is expected to sideline the forward for eight to nine months, effectively ending his season and his dreams of representing Les Bleus in North America this summer.

Ekitike has been in scintillating form since his £69 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool last July. He has established himself as a focal point for Arne Slot’s side, netting 17 goals across all competitions this season.

His absence was felt immediately on the pitch; following his departure, Liverpool struggled to find a clinical edge, eventually falling 2-0 to PSG (4-0 on aggregate) and exiting the Champions League.

For the French national team, Ekitike’s injury creates a significant void in the attacking ranks. Having scored in two of his last four international appearances, including a vital goal against Brazil, Ekitike had emerged as the primary understudy and tactical partner to Kylian Mbappé. With the World Cup set to kick off on June 11, Deschamps now faces a race against time to restructure his front line.

Sources close to the player suggest that Hugo is "devastated but focused" on the recovery process, which will likely see him out of action until early 2027. The French Football Federation (FFF) is expected to release a formal statement later today, but the consensus among medical experts is clear: the "next big thing" in French football will be watching the world's biggest stage from the sidelines.

Read the  Latest Sports News Today and  Get Fresh updates as they drop via  X and  Instagram