News Focus
- Johnny Cardoso will miss the 2026 World Cup in the United States
- The Atletico Madrid midfielder requires immediate ankle surgery
- Medical scans revealed damage to arteries in his ankle
- Recovery time is approximately two months
- The Texas-born star has earned 23 caps for the USMNT
United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso faces a devastating blow. The 24-year-old will undergo ankle surgery this week. This rules him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
Cardoso suffered the injury during training last week. Doctors initially diagnosed a severe sprain. They expected him to miss one month. This would have ended his club season with Atletico Madrid. However, he could have recovered in time for the World Cup.
Further medical checks revealed a more serious problem. The Spanish club announced that Cardoso needs an operation. Reports from Diario AS indicate the injury affects his arteries. Medical staff estimate he will need two months to heal. He should return for pre-season training with Atletico.
This season has proved challenging for Cardoso. He joined Atletico Madrid last summer. He made 30 appearances across all competitions. He found strong form during March and April. Unfortunately, injuries disrupted his campaign.
Cardoso has represented the United States 23 times. National team coach Mauricio Pochettino valued his contributions. The Argentine selected Cardoso for a friendly against Belgium in March. This marked his first international appearance since June last year. He also missed the Gold Cup knockout stages last summer due to fitness issues.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cardoso will now watch the tournament from the stands rather than the pitch.