Hugo Ekitike Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup with Achilles Tendon Injury

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France international Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

French footballer Hugo Ekitike has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a serious injury. The 23-year-old striker ruptured his Achilles tendon during Liverpool's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in a 2-0 loss for Liverpool.

The injury occurred at Anfield on Tuesday night, where Liverpool exited the competition with a 4-0 aggregate defeat. Ekitike, who pointed to his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him, was carried off on a stretcher.

Reports from French newspapers Le Parisien and L’Equipe confirmed the news of Ekitike's injury on Wednesday. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million ($93.58m) last July, has had a significant impact this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. He has also made a notable contribution to the French national team, scoring two international goals in his last four games for France.

As a key understudy to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, Ekitike's absence will be felt by the French team. The French football federation (FFF) has yet to comment on the matter.