Image Credits: Imago Images
France 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. Ekitike underwent scans on Wednesday, which are expected to confirm the full extent of the injury.
“Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG. 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. He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team.
“His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I’m convinced of it. But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. 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. “Tomorrow we will investigate this further, (see) how bad this is for him. Let’s see.
“But it doesn’t look good. 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.”