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.

Mikel Arteta publicly criticised two recent refereeing decisions he believes altered the course of Arsenal’s title challenge. The manager addressed incidents in matches against Newcastle United and Manchester City that he said occurred at “crucial moments.”

In the 74th minute at St James’ Park, Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope received only a caution after coming off his line to take down Viktor Gyökeres. The Premier League’s Match Center noted the foul was not deemed a denial of a goalscoring opportunity “due to the close proximity of a Newcastle defender, who had the possibility to claim possession of the ball.” Arteta was unequivocal. “I have to say as well in my opinion, it is a clear red card. I have watched it 10 times. If you have ever played football, it is a red card.”

That decision did not prevent Arsenal from taking three points, but it limited the visitors to a single goal and, Arteta warned, could prove decisive if the title race comes down to goal difference or goals scored.

Arteta then questioned a match at the Etihad Stadium where he believes Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov committed a last-man tackle on Kai Havertz in the 53rd minute. “It is the second time in two games because against Manchester City when Kai Havertz goes through and Khusanov’s fouling him at 1–1, the title is there. It is a red card,” the 44-year-old said. Eight minutes later Erling Haaland scored the match-winner, a result that pulled City within three points with a game in hand. City then won at Turf Moor against relegation-bound Burnley midweek to go top. Arsenal have since reclaimed first place but have again played a game more.

“So these are the margins as well,” Arteta continued. “Hopefully that is going to change. Everyone will have their opinion, I am here to give my opinion.

“I’m somebody who has been in the game for the long time. You talk to any of the players because the trajectory, where the ball is, there is no keeper there. If that had happened the other way around, it is a red card.”

He added: “I am saying the reality of the last two games at crucial moments when everything is at stake, we need everything to go our way and it hasn’t.” He later qualified his remarks: “I am not giving any excuses. I am the first one to understand. I didn’t talk about it when we lost the game. I am doing it when we won. It is a red card today. It is a red card in Manchester and the world is different. That’s it.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered a cautiously positive update after Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze picked up problems during Saturday’s Premier League win over Newcastle United.

Arteta played down the severity of both issues at the Emirates, saying the injuries were not believed to be serious and that the pair “could yet feature when Arsenal play the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital.” He told reporters: “They are muscular niggles, we don’t think it’s too much. We have to wait and see if they’re going to be available for Wednesday,”

Havertz left the field early after pulling up in the first half and walked straight down the tunnel. Eze required on-pitch treatment before taking a seat on the bench. After the game the match-winner told Sky Sports: “I’m alright. I’m all good, it was just a precaution. I didn’t want to do anything [more severe], I’ll be O.K.”

The optimism is tempered by recent history. Just last month, Eze dismissed concerns over any injury before being forced to sit out three games, including the Carabao Cup final, with a calf problem. Any absence for either player would harm Arsenal’s chances of ending a 22-year wait for a Premier League title and their bid to reach and win their first Champions League.

Viktor Gyökeres remained on the bench behind Havertz for a second successive match as Arteta persisted with the German as his centre forward. Gyökeres, signed so Havertz could occupy a deeper role, has struggled for impact against weaker opposition and is yet to score a non-penalty goal against any of the Premier League’s current top 10. Arteta picked Havertz as his No. 9 a week ago against Manchester City and again for the visit of Newcastle, with Gyökeres introduced only when the German could not continue.

The jury is still out on Eze following last summer’s $90 million (£67.5 million) transfer from Crystal Palace. He has scored five of his seven Premier League goals this season in just two matches against Tottenham Hotspur—and only two against anyone else.