Didier Deschamps confirms Hugo Ekitike will miss World Cup

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Hugo Ekitike suffered a suspected Achilles injury during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Image Credits: Imago ImagesFrance manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining a suspected Achilles injury during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.The 23-year-old was taken off on a stretcher at Anfield, with Liverpool fearing a lengthy lay-off that could also rule him out at the start of next season.

The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup,” confirmed Deschamps in a statement released by the French Football Federation.“Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months. We know he’ll be fully behind the France team, and we’re all thinking of him very strongly.”Deschamps will announce his World Cup squad next month.

Ekitike suffered his injury just as Alexander Isak returned from a serious leg setback, with the British record signing making his first start since fracturing his ankle in December.Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer, has scored 19 goals for the club and France this season.Speaking after the defeat to PSG, Arne Slot gave an initial assessment of Ekitike’s condition, with Liverpool still awaiting full confirmation of the extent of the injury.“Hugo looks really bad but it’s difficult for me to say how bad,” Slot said. I didn’t see him at half-time and after the game he had already gone home so I haven’t spoken to him yet.”Les mots du sélectionneur Didier Deschamps pour Hugo Ekitiké 🙏« Hugo s’est sérieusement blessé, mardi soir, contre le PSG.