2026 World Cup injuries sideline players and spark post‑tournament transfer woes

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, saw a spate of injuries that forced several players into long‑term absence. Mid‑fielder Amadou Onana of Belgium tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the round‑of‑16 match against the United States and is expected to miss 7‑9 months, keeping him out of club action for Aston Villa.

Beyond injuries, the tournament also accelerated high‑profile moves that later proved problematic. Former Argentine defender Alberto Tarantini, after a breakout at the 1978 World Cup, transferred to Birmingham City but struggled to adapt and returned to Argentina within a year. Senegal’s El‑Haj Diouf, a key figure in Senegal’s 2002 World Cup run, joined Liverpool for a reported £15 million but failed to meet expectations, with limited goals and off‑field issues leading to a disappointing spell.

These cases illustrate how the World Cup can both boost a player's market value and expose them to physical and professional risks that shape the remainder of their careers.