Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury, national team doctor Dr Prince Pambo has confirmed.
The AS Monaco centre-back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a Ligue 1 encounter against Olympique Lyonnais in January, dealing a major blow to both club and country.
Although the 26-year-old has undergone successful surgery and has started light gym work as part of his rehabilitation, Dr Pambo said the severity of the injury makes a return in time for the World Cup impossible.
Speaking after a medical visit to Salisu in France, the Black Stars doctor explained that the defender will need up to nine months to achieve full recovery.
“Mohammed Salisu will miss the World Cup; his knee injury requires nine months to recover,” he told Accra-based Asempa FM.
The national team doctor also provided an update on FC Toulouse midfielder Francis Abu, who sustained a serious ankle injury while on international duty during Ghana’s Kirin Cup match against Japan in November last year.
Dr Pambo revealed that Abu’s rehabilitation is progressing ahead of schedule.
“Francis Abu was expected to recover five to six months after surgery, but he is responding well to treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ghana will begin their Group L World Cup campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in their remaining fixtures.
The Black Stars are scheduled to regroup in March for international friendly matches against Austria and Germany.
Head coach Otto Addo is expected to announce his final World Cup squad on June 1.
