French striker Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) out of World Cup

Field Level Media
15 Apr 2026, 23:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Reuters/Lee Smith)

French striker Hugo Ekitike likely will miss this summer's FIFA World Cup after reportedly tearing his Achilles tendon.

The Liverpool forward sustained the injury in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ekitike, 23, collapsed to the ground in pain midway through the first half and left the pitch on a stretcher.

The team was awaiting test results Wednesday to determine the extent of the Achilles tear, but ESPN and The Athletic both cited sources characterizing it as a ruptured tendon. Such an injury typically requires a recovery period of nine to 12 months.

Ekitike has 17 goals in 45 matches against all competitions this season for Liverpool, which sits fifth in the English Premier League standings with six matches remaining.

He has earned eight caps with France's national team and was expected to be part of manager Didier Deschamps' squad this summer in North America.

France is currently No. 1 in the FIFA World Ranking. The two-time World Cup champions (1998, 2018) are in Group I for the 2026 edition along with Senegal, Norway and Iraq. France opens play against Senegal on June 16 in East Rutherford, N.J.

--Field Level Media

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