USA’s Johnny Cardoso expected to miss World Cup through ankle injury | World Cup 2026
Atletico Madrid’s Cardoso to Undergo Ankle Surgery, Limiting World Cup Prospects
Published May 12, 2026
Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso will undergo surgery on his right ankle, the club announced Monday, marking a significant setback for his chances of participating in the upcoming World Cup as a member of the United States national team.
According to a statement from Atletico Madrid, Cardoso suffered a severe ankle sprain during training last Thursday. The injury has raised doubts about his fitness for the tournament.
This incident adds to a challenging debut season for the 24-year-old, who has faced multiple injury issues throughout the campaign. In March, Cardoso could only contribute 45 minutes in a friendly against Belgium during the international break.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to announce his 26-man World Cup roster later this month amid growing injury concerns. Several players are currently sidelined, including team captain Christian Pulisic, who has missed recent matches for AC Milan due to a muscle issue. Additionally, Tim Weah from Olympique de Marseille and Tanner Tessmann of Olympique Lyonnais are also recovering from injuries.
The United States, cohosting the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to play warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6. They will open their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 in California. Other group opponents include Australia and Turkey.
