Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during Liverpool FC’s UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Premier League club confirmed the injury in a statement on Thursday, noting that scans revealed the full extent of the damage following the incident at Anfield.
Ekitike sustained the injury in the first half of the quarter-final second-leg encounter after slipping on the turf, forcing an early substitution.
The 23-year-old France international is now expected to miss the remainder of the season, as well as the 2026 World Cup with France national football team. While a precise recovery timeline has not been confirmed, initial estimates suggest he could be sidelined for up to seven months.
“Ekitike was substituted during the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League match after a slip on the turf,” the club said.
“Subsequent scans have confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon.
“He will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and will not be available for this summer’s World Cup with France.
“Further updates will be provided in due course, and Hugo will receive the full support of everyone at the club.”
Since joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 appearances. He has also earned eight caps for France, scoring once.
