United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso is a major doubt for the 2026 World Cup after suffering a “high grade” ankle sprain, his club Atlético Madrid confirmed on Thursday. The injury, sustained in training, comes with just five weeks until the tournament begins and less than three weeks before US head coach Mauricio Pochettino names his final squad.
High-grade ankle sprains typically require at least a month of recovery, often longer. The US open their World Cup campaign on 13 June against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, before facing Australia and Turkey in Group B. Cardoso's absence would leave a gap in midfield, though Pochettino has several options to consider.
Atletico stated that the 24-year-old will undergo rehabilitation but provided no timetable for his return. The La Liga club, eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals by Arsenal this week, have four league matches remaining and are pushing for a top-four finish.
Cardoso, who has 23 appearances for the USMNT since his debut in 2020, last featured in March's 5-2 loss to Belgium. Despite struggling to replicate his club form internationally, he is viewed as a key midfield piece. Potential replacements include Seattle Sounders' Cristian Roldan, a versatile and experienced option for a second World Cup, and Tanner Tessmann, who has played 12 times under Pochettino and can also operate as a centre-back.
