The run-up to the 2026 World Cup is shaping as much around rehabilitation as selection. Across Europe several of the game’s most influential internationals are carrying injuries that have already curtailed club seasons or left their participation in doubt.

Lamine Yamal’s hamstring problem has ruled him out for the remainder of the season with Barcelona, though the club have insisted he should feature at the World Cup. Estêvão and Arda Güler have also suffered hamstring injuries and been ruled out for the rest of their club campaigns at Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively. Reports say Güler is still set to appear at his first World Cup.

Some long-serving figures have been struck down too. Luka Modrić suffered a fractured cheekbone in AC Milan’s match with Juventus and will miss the rest of the Serie A season. Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham and was in tears at the time; his availability for the tournament remains unclear.

Mohamed Salah’s club season ended with an unflattering final touch for Liverpool, and his previous World Cup involvement in Russia was affected by fitness concerns after a dislocated shoulder in the Champions League final. Éder Militão has again gone down with a hamstring issue and has been ruled out for the rest of the club season alongside Güler, with recent reports suggesting his injury may be worse than first feared.

Mikel Merino has been absent since undergoing surgery on a fractured foot in January but is expected to be considered by Spain. Dejan Kulusevski is still working his way back after nearly a year out and admitted: “I haven’t played in a year. I know what the chances are,” and added, “But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best.”

Other concerns include Matthijs de Ligt, sidelined since November with a back problem but back on the grass at Carrington, Reece James with a fresh hamstring setback, Mohammed Kudus whose comeback was ended by a new quad issue and Joško Gvardiol after a broken leg in the new year. For all of them the coming weeks will determine whether they travel in June.

Manchester United have been linked with Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni as one of several candidates to succeed Casemiro this summer. The Telegraph reports the France international could “feature prominently” on United’s shortlist thanks to his size and trophy experience at Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old remains under contract until 2028 and will not come cheap. Real Madrid signed him from Monaco four years ago for a fee in the region of $84 million (€80 million). Across roughly 190 appearances for the club he has collected La Liga and Champions League honours, a record that increases his market value in an inflated transfer market.

The Telegraph also stress that any exit for Tchouaméni would have to be balanced by a fresh recruit for Real Madrid. Midfield has been a recognised area of transition since the trio which oversaw three consecutive Champions League titles—Casemiro himself along with Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić—was broken up. Tchouaméni was acquired to help bridge one generational midfield to another while the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde continue to develop.

Even if Madrid were willing to sanction a sale, United face domestic competition and internal debate over priorities. As outlined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Forest’s Elliot Anderson remains Manchester United’s “top target” in midfield. Anderson is a noted all-rounder and leads Premier League midfielders this season in categories as distinct as passes and duels won.

Crystal Palace’s deep-lying playmaker Adam Wharton is another reported option. Wharton ranks fourth across the division for through balls this season with 20; by comparison Tchouaméni has completed six. With Manchester City’s possible involvement in the market should Rodri move to Madrid, the coming window looks set to revolve around a midfield merry-go-round in which United must weigh defensive solidity against creative versatility.

Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night all but confirmed Álvaro Arbeloa’s precarious position as head coach. Appointed in January after Xabi Alonso’s mid-season dismissal, Arbeloa has not been able to arrest a slide that included an early Copa del Rey exit to Albacete and a widening La Liga deficit, with Barcelona nine points clear and seven games remaining.

Arbeloa accepted responsibility after the elimination, telling reporters: “I am the one responsible for the defeats and I will always take the consequences from that.

“We feel really upset, really angry, really disappointed. This felt like a defining game in our season.” Reports now indicate he will see out 2025–26 but be replaced before the 2026–27 campaign.

Below are the nine names most often linked with the Bernabéu job, with short notes and the likelihood figures that have circulated.

1) José Mourinho (Likelihood: 1/10). A former Madrid manager with one La Liga and one Copa del Rey between 2010 and 2013. Any chance of reunion was damaged by his conduct in the ill-tempered Benfica-Madrid Champions League tie this season, when he appeared to defend Gianluca Prestianni amid accusations involving Vinicius Junior.

2) Manuel Giráldez (Likelihood: 2/10). The 38-year-old has impressed since taking charge of Celta Vigo in March 2024, leading them to the Europa League quarterfinals and a push for European qualification. He is under contract until 2028 and made one appearance for Real Madrid B as a fullback.

3) Andoni Iraola (Likelihood: 3/10). Having announced his departure from Bournemouth this summer, Iraola’s work at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth has been noted, despite selling players such as Dean Huijsen for profit.

4) Raúl (Likelihood: 4/10). Spent six years coaching Real Madrid B, quit last summer after being overlooked for the first team, and said he would return one day “when the time is right.” He scored 71 Champions League goals as a player.

5) Zinedine Zidane (Likelihood: 5/10). Linked with a third spell after his extraordinary three consecutive Champions League wins; reports suggest he may await the France job after Didier Deschamps.

6) Unai Emery (Likelihood: 5.5/10). Credited with transforming Aston Villa since 2022, though his record at the very top is debated. He previously worked with Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain.

7) Jürgen Klopp (Likelihood: 6/10). Perennial Madrid-linked name; he left Liverpool in 2024 citing exhaustion and his interest or readiness remains uncertain.

8) Mauricio Pochettino (Likelihood: 7/10). The USMNT coach is reportedly highly regarded by Florentino Pérez; his contract runs until after the World Cup and he “has previously said he would be open to staying beyond the tournament.” He led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final.

9) Didier Deschamps (Likelihood: 7.5/10). France coach since 2012, World Cup winner in 2018, 2022 finalist and 2016 European Championships finalist; his contract also ends after the summer World Cup.

Whoever is appointed will inherit a squad Alonso reportedly deemed “impossible to coach,” and a 2025–26 season that now looks likely to be a second successive campaign without a major trophy for the club.