Hugo Ekitike Injury Update: Liverpool and France Striker to Miss 2026 World Cup

16 April 2026Liverpool and France striker Hugo Ekitike has suffered a serious injury and will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

What is Hugo Ekitike's Injury?

The 23-year-old has ruptured his Achilles tendon in his right ankle. The injury occurred during Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain when Ekitike slipped and landed awkwardly, requiring him to be stretchered off the pitch. Liverpool officially confirmed the Achilles tendon rupture on 16 April 2026.

Will Hugo Ekitike Miss the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Ekitike will miss the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. France head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed the news in an official statement, describing the injury as a major blow for both the player and the national team.Ekitike had been a regular in recent France squads, featuring in all six World Cup qualifying matches and scoring in a recent friendly against Brazil. He currently has eight senior international caps.

Recovery Timeline and Return Date

An Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most severe injuries in football. Recovery typically takes between nine and 12 months.Club: Ekitike will miss the rest of the 2025/26 season with Liverpool and is unlikely to return until late 2026 or early 2027.

International: He will not be available for the 2026 World Cup and will also miss the start of the 2026/27 season.

He is expected to begin a long rehabilitation process immediately and will be reintroduced gradually upon his return, likely starting with substitute appearances.

How Did the Injury Happen?

The incident took place in the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Several PSG players, including Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, and Ousmane Dembélé — who know Ekitike from the French national team and his previous spell at the club — came over to console him on the pitch.

Transfer Details

Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2025 for a fee of €95 million ($112 million / £82.6 million). The striker signed a six-year contract with the club that runs until the summer of 2031.

Current Situation

This latest injury adds to Liverpool’s challenging 2025/26 season, which has seen them struggle to match the success of their previous Premier League-winning campaign under manager Arne Slot. Ekitike was one of the club’s key summer signings.Liverpool have stated that the player will receive full support from the medical and performance team during his recovery. Further updates on his rehabilitation progress are expected in the coming weeks and months.

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