By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 15:02 EDT, 15 April 2026 | Updated: 15:03 EDT, 15 April 2026
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Hugo Ekitike was ruled out of the World Cup for France after sustaining a leg injury in Liverpool´s Champions League quarterfinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain, France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Wednesday.
The France forward's suspected Achilles tendon injury occurred in the 27th minute of Tuesday's second-leg match at Anfield. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Ekitike has been one of Liverpool´s top players this season and has scored 19 goals for club and country. He scored for France in its 2-1 win against Brazil last month.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot initially said after the 2-0 defeat, which sealed a 4-0 aggregate victory for PSG that "It looks really bad."
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Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk checks on Hugo Ekitike during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Players gather around Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike after he was injured during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies injured during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies injured during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)