Messi, Mbappé and Yamal set for WC despite injury concerns

Injury concerns surrounding some of football’s biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, had raised doubts ahead of the FIFA World Cup, but all three have been named in their national squads for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

While several leading players have recovered in time to make the competition, others have been ruled out due to injury.

France striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury in April that is expected to keep him sidelined for more than six months. Brazil will be without Rodrygo and Éder Militão, while Germany forward Serge Gnabry has also been ruled out after sustaining an adductor injury in training.

Messi sparked concern last month when he left the field injured while playing for Inter Miami CF. Although he has been included in Argentina’s squad as the defending champions seek to retain their title, it remains unclear whether he has fully recovered from what was described as muscle fatigue.

Spain’s teenage sensation Yamal also faced a fitness scare after missing the closing weeks of the season with a hamstring injury.

"I remember the play in which I got injured," he said. "I was praying inside for it not to be serious, for it to be a cramp or something like that, because I knew the World Cup was very close."

The growing number of injuries has renewed concerns about the demands placed on players amid an increasingly crowded football calendar. The expanded World Cup follows the enlarged Club World Cup and recent changes to the UEFA Champions League format.

Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal FC, recently described the workload facing players as “an accident waiting to happen.”

Among the notable absentees are Argentina's Joaquín Panichelli, England defender Ben White, Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, Spain's Fermín López, Scotland's Billy Gilmour and several United States internationals, including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Patrick Agyemang and Johnny Cardoso.

Some players remain fitness concerns despite making their squads. Argentina defender Cristian Romero is recovering from a knee injury, while Canada captain Alphonso Davies is racing to recover from a hamstring problem ahead of his team's opening match.

Croatia veteran Luka Modrić returned to action after suffering a cheekbone injury earlier this year, while defender Joško Gvardiol has recovered from a broken leg and is set to feature at the tournament.

Meanwhile, United States midfielder Gio Reyna heads into the World Cup after limited playing time at club level. US coach Mauricio Pochettino backed the midfielder's inclusion, saying: "He can help because he's a different player, different talent, and I think in all the roster you need to have a player like him."