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.

Reports suggest Marcus Rashford passed up a decisive opportunity to make an impact against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, a moment that has shaped how Barcelona view his loan spell. After a bright start in Spain — seven La Liga assists in his first 12 appearances and Champions League braces against Newcastle United and Olympiacos early in the campaign — Rashford’s output has diminished.

Across La Liga and the Champions League he has started only 20 of his 37 appearances, underlining his role largely as a backup. His goals in April’s back-to-back La Liga matches against Atlético and Espanyol were his first in the competition since the end of January. He also failed to register a goal or assist in three Champions League knockout appearances against Newcastle and Atlético.

The Athletic reports that Rashford did not take the opportunity presented while Raphinha was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Hansi Flick set out the chance in early April: “It’s a good chance now for him to show again, but we have other options [to replace Raphinha, too].” After a disappointing first-leg showing against Atlético, Flick started Gavi on the left in the second leg; Rashford came off the bench and was unable to alter the outcome as Barcelona were eliminated.

Barcelona’s interest in a permanent transfer has cooled. There is no intention to trigger the existing $35.3 million (€30 million, £26.1 million) option to buy. While personal terms are not thought to be an issue, the club are “considering other options” for forward recruitment, and Manchester United are not expected to renegotiate the terms to make the deal more attractive to the Catalans.

If Rashford returns to Manchester United at the end of the loan, Barcelona would need to recruit another forward. At present he provides primary cover behind Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha; the only other natural frontline player in the squad is 20-year-old Roony Bardghji. The Athletic names alternatives including Julián Alvarez, Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Omar Marmoush and Víctor Muñoz as potential targets for different forward roles.

Rashford has embraced life at Barcelona, so a departure would be a wrench. His contract at Manchester United, signed in 2023, still has two years remaining, and a return and reintegration at Old Trafford is possible. At his best he has been a 30-goal-a-season player, the only United forward since Robin van Persie in 2012–13 to reach that mark, doing so in 2022–23. His difficulties at United began early into Ruben Amorim’s time as manager, prompting an initial loan at Aston Villa before this season at Barcelona. Back in Manchester, circumstances have changed with Amorim gone and the team more consistent and on the up.

Manchester United caretaker Michael Carrick has signalled that Marcus Rashford could be welcomed back to Old Trafford, but a straightforward reunion looks unlikely while the Barcelona loan and contract mechanics remain unsettled. The player faces the prospect of “transfer limbo” during the upcoming World Cup if talks do not progress.

Rashford’s route away from United began after a falling out with Ruben Amorim, which ended his one-club trajectory and led to loans at Aston Villa and, most recently, Barcelona across the last 16 months. The Catalan club initially received similar praise from Rashford on his summer move, but reports in recent weeks suggest Barcelona do not plan to trigger the current permanent option.

The loan included an option to buy for $35.4 million (£26.1 million, €30 million), a figure that was regarded as a bargain for a 28-year-old England international when agreed. Rashford has contributed 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, yet Barcelona president Joan Laporta voiced the club’s reluctance to accept the terms in March. Suggestions have circulated that Barcelona might extend the loan or that the player would not be in next season’s plans, although The Times rejected those reports and said manager Hansi Flick is “happy” with his English recruit.

If Barcelona seek to renegotiate the fee, United are expected to resist. The club view Rashford as an asset who could command interest elsewhere. Carrick, who set up a goal for Rashford in his last match as a player and worked with him again during his time as assistant coach and as caretaker manager in 2021, spoke cautiously about the situation.

“There’s decisions to be made in time on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation. But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided,” Carrick told assembled media this week.

“Certainly from my perspective, whoever’s here I want to work with, make the best out of, and help them improve. At the moment, it’s this squad of players, and there’s obviously players on loan, and whatever happens with that later on will happen with that later on. But certainly, as a coach, and as a leader of a squad, we want to get the best out of everyone as much as we possibly can.”

Carrick has publicly called for a new left winger after Amorim reshaped United’s wide options to suit a 3-4-2-1. Rashford would fill that role, but while his return would not require a transfer fee, a potential wage increase linked to European qualification remains an added complication. The Guardian reported Rashford’s salary would rise to $440,000 per week should United finish in the top five, introducing another financial wrinkle to his uncertain summer.