Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké, 23, will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. The injury brings a cruel end to a strong season in which he scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances, but it will now keep him off the pitch until at least the end of 2026.
Ekitiké’s absence is a major setback for both the player and France. He had worked his way into Didier Deschamps’ national team setup, earning eight caps and scoring two goals, and had become a useful attacking option for the squad. His injury removes a versatile forward from France’s World Cup plans and leaves Deschamps without a player who had recently grown in importance.
Speaking at a press conference, Deschamps said Ekitiké’s injury is painful for the player and represents a loss for the team. He noted that the forward had integrated well into the squad, both on and off the field, and said the entire group supports him during recovery. Deschamps highlighted Ekitiké’s mobility, his ability to contribute in build-up play, and his talent for creating space at high speed as qualities that added something different to the team’s attacking options.
The France coach also stressed that injuries are part of the reality for national teams, pointing out that other selections must also cope without major players. Still, Ekitiké’s setback is especially significant given his recent rise and the momentum he had built with Liverpool and the French national side.
Published on June 4, 2026, the report underlines how quickly a breakout season can be halted by a serious injury. For Ekitiké, the focus now shifts from club and international football to a long recovery process, with no return expected before the end of the year. For France, the challenge is to replace a forward whose pace, movement, and attacking variety had become valuable assets ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
