The World Cup is approaching fast and for some of the planet’s best players, the race against time is on.
Every star dreams of competing in the biggest competition in the world and with the tournament only cropping up every four years, footballers have precious few opportunities to build their legacy.
With Qatar readying itself for football fans all around the world, supporters are hoping that they’ll still be able to see all of their favourites on show.
For some players, there’s a big possibility that they may not be fit to feature in the World Cup as they tackle serious injuries in the weeks ahead.
However you can bet bottom dollar that they’ll be doing everything possible to play on the biggest stage of all.
Premier League
Ben Chilwell – OUT
The Chelsea defender looks likely to miss the World Cup after his hamstring ‘popped’ in midweek.
Chilwell pulled up just seconds before the end of the Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb.
As he was helped off the pitch by the Chelsea medical staff, he appeared to say to teammate Mason Mount: ‘It’s popped’.
The 25-year-old was later seen leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches and will undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury.
Buyako Saka – IN
The 21-year-old limped off in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Saka was on the receiving end of a couple of strong challenges from Forest left-back Renan Lodi.
After receiving medical attention to his ankle, the decision was made from Mikel Arteta to hook him in the 27th minute with Reiss Nelson replacing him.
It led to fears that the youngster could be a doubt for the World Cup with the Three Lions‘ opener against Iran just three weeks away.
But Arsenal played down concerns Saka had suffered anything serious and he’s expected to be available as early as this weekend.
Diogo Jota – OUT
One player who will not be heading to Qatar is Liverpool star Jota, with Jurgen Klopp confirming that he was set to miss out.
The Portugal international was carried off on a stretcher late on in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City last month.
“Really not good news about Diogo. Yes, he will miss the World Cup,” said manager Jurgen Klopp.
“A pretty serious injury in the calf muscle. And now the recovery starts, or the process starts.”
Kalvin Phillips – DOUBT
After being the main man for Leeds, Phillips has found it tough since moving to Man City this summer.
Having been limited to just 20 Premier League appearances last term due to injury, the midfielder has endured limited game time for Pep Guardiola’s side this term due to fitness issues.
A dislocated shoulder back in September has extended this poor luck with injuries, with Phillips now a major doubt for the World Cup.
While there’s not long to go until the competition starts, Gareth Southgate may be tempted to take a risk-free move and opt for a fully fit player as he prepares for a heavily scrutinised World Cup campaign as manager.
Kyle Walker – DOUBT
The Man City star is desperate to be fit for England’s World Cup campaign and was a likely shoe-in to start had he not picked up the injury.
Walker underwent surgery on a groin which left him facing a six-week road to recovery.
While the 32-year-old faces an uphill task to be fit for Qatar, Walker has indicated that he’s confident of being on the plane.
Speaking on BBC 5Live in mid-October, Walker said: “I’m confident. I’ve been through enough in my career to know my body.
“I’m well above what they thought I’d be able to do at this point.
“I just feel I can do this. I am going to have to be patient with it. There will be bumps in the road but hopefully, come the selection, I’m included.”
Reece James – MAJOR DOUBT
The Chelsea full-back suffered a knee injury during a Champions League clash with AC Milan at the San Siro.
The Blues released a statement on their club website that stated that James would be out for eight weeks, subsequently ruling him out of the World Cup.
But while the odds are against the 22-year-old, James took to social media and suggested that he hasn’t yet given up all hope of being on the plane to Qatar.
The defender took to social media in October and said: “The race against time is on… But we won’t give up.”
He since told the Sun: “I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day.
“I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages.
“I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day-by-day.
“The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup.
“It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is.”
Wesley Fofana – MAJOR DOUBT
The French defender also picked up a knee injury against AC Milan but this time in the home win the week before.
It was initially feared the summer signing had sustained a serious ligament tear and would be sidelined for a much longer period.
Fofana instead was ruled out for four to six weeks – which would leave him right on the cutoff point for French selection.
The 21-year-old will join James in flying to Dubai to continue their rehabilitation and it remains to be seen in both cases whether their countries take a gamble on their fitness.
Richarlison – IN
The Brazilian forward was in tears after Tottenham’s victory to Everton as he hobbled off the pitch with a calf injury.
Richarlison later sparked fears his World Cup dream was over after he was seen on crutches later that evening.
But he later tweeted: “Guys, thank God it was just a big scare!! Two weeks and I’ll be back! Thank you for the messages and affection.”
Spurs manager Conte later revealed when asked if Richarlison would miss the tournament in Qatar: “No, absolutely not.
“No, I can confirm this, that the player is not risking to not play at the World Cup. Absolutely.”
Emile Smith Rowe – OUT
The England midfielder suffered a disjointed start to the campaign due to a groin injury, which limited him to just four cameo appearances for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old’s last match was the clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford back in September, a contest that they lost 3-1.
After what the club described as ‘a significant setback’ against Erik ten Hag’s side, Smith Rowe underwent surgery on a damaged tendon in his groin.
The surgery was successful but means Smith-Rowe will be out for a few months and will not return to full-training until December.
Boubacar Kamara – DOUBT
There were initial fears that both Kamara and Aston Villa teammate Lucas Digne would miss the World Cup for France through injury.
The 22-year-old sustained knee ligament damage in September that would see him sidelined for the winter tournament in Qatar.
Yet three-cap France international Kamara is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could even be back in training later this week.
Digne meanwhile is already back among his Villa teammates following a stress fracture he accrued in the same game against Southampton.
N’Golo Kante – OUT
The Chelsea midfielder has been ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing surgery on his injured hamstring.
The Blues have revealed that the France international – who was instrumental in Les Bleus’ 2018 win – will be out for FOUR months.
Kante has been limited to just two appearances for the west London outfit this season.
The 31-year-old hasn’t featured since the 2-2 draw against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in August.
Arthur Melo – OUT
Arthur had hopes of forcing his way back into the Brazil squad after joining Liverpool on loan from Juventus on deadline day.
However, things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the midfielder who has made just one substitute appearance against Napoli.
And the 26-year-old was confirmed to be set for months on the sidelines after suffering a fresh injury setback in October.
Speaking ahead of the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, Klopp said: “It’s a really serious injury.
“He’s here. It’s a long-term injury and when he’s back, we’ll think about it again. I have no idea how long it will be but it will be long.
“But at the moment, it’s too far away.”
Raphael Varane – DOUBT
France are enduring an injury crisis at the moment, with Manchester United defender Varane the latest to be sidelined.
The defender limped off during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea last month and looked visibly upset.
While it remains to be seen whether the 29-year-old will play for his country at the World Cup, he will not feature for United before then.
“Varane isn’t in the squad, so he will be out certainly until the World Cup,” Ten Hag said. “He will not play in this block for Man United.”
Asked if he can play in the World Cup, Ten Hag said: “I think so, but the club knows we have to wait, see how he develops and how his rehab will develop.”
Armel Bella-Kotchap – DOUBT
The Southampton defender had only broken into the senior Germany setup for the first time in September following his stunning start to the season.
Yet his dreams of retaining his spot in the squad for Qatar took a hefty blow when he dislocated his shoulder in a 1-1 draw with West Ham last month.
“With Armel, it looks good,” said Ralph Hasenhuttl ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.
“It can be that he starts to train next week with the team. He wants to try it from next week on I think.
“He could be an option for the Newcastle game (on November 6) maybe.”
Pedro Neto – OUT
Wolves confirmed the Portuguese winger would miss Qatar following an injury he sustained in their 2-0 defeat to West Ham last month.
The 22-year-old was in Portugal’s squad for the most recent Nations League games before he strained his lateral ligaments.
“Following further evaluation and a specialist opinion this week, it is planned for him to undergo surgery,” Wolves added.
“This means that, unfortunately, he will not be fit for the upcoming World Cup.”
Rest of the world
Argentina
- Paulo Dybala – DOUBT
- Joaquin Correa – DOUBT
- Angel Di Maria – IN
- Giovani Lo Celso – MAJOR DOUBT
- Juan Foyth – DOUBT
Belgium
- Romelu Lukaku – MAJOR DOUBT
- Alexis Saelemaekers – OUT
Brazil
Canada
- Atiba Hutchinson – DOUBT
Croatia
- Marcelo Brozovic – DOUBT
Denmark
- Simon Kjaer – DOUBT
- Andreas Christensen – DOUBT
Ecuador
- Joao Rojas – OUT
- Robert Arboleda – DOUBT
France
- Paul Pogba – OUT
- Lucas Hernandez – DOUBT
- Presnel Kimpembe – DOUBT
- Jules Kounde – IN
Germany
- Leroy Sane – DOUBT
- Thomas Muller – MINOR DOUBT
- Manuel Neuer – MINOR DOUBT
- Florian Neuhaus – DOUBT
- Mahmoud Dahoud – DOUBT
- Timo Werner – OUT
Japan
Mexico
- Jesús Manuel Corona – DOUBT
- Raul Jimenez – DOUBT
Morocco
Netherlands
- Memphis Depay – DOUBT
- Georginio Wijnaldum – OUT
Poland
Senegal
Spain
- Mikel Oyarzabal – DOUBT
- Gerard Moreno – DOUBT
- Sergio Reguilon – DOUBT
Uruguay
- Ronald Araujo – MAJOR DOUBT
- Mauro Arambarri – OUT
USA
- Weston McKennie – DOUBT
- Daryl Dike – DOUBT
- Chris Richards – DOUBT
- Miles Robinson – OUT
Wales
- Joe Allen – DOUBT
- Tom Lawrence – OUT
- Rhys Norrington-Davies – OUT
- David Brooks – OUT
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News Summary:
- Full list of confirmed absentees and latest updates on Premier League stars including England quartet Chilwell, Walker, Phillips and James as Pogba and Jota miss Qatar
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.