World Cup 2026: Belgium’s Amadou Onana suffers suspected ACL injury

Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury during his side’s 4-1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16.

The Aston Villa player, who was born in Senegal, started in midfield for the Red Devils but was forced off after just 21 minutes following an incident involving his right knee.

Onana initially attempted to continue playing after receiving treatment on the pitch, but he was eventually replaced by Hans Vanaken as Belgium progressed comfortably to the quarter-finals.

Speaking after the match, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and admitted the injury had overshadowed an otherwise successful evening for his team.

“It’s a serious injury. It’s the only dark cloud over this evening,” Garcia said.

The Belgian coach also suggested he feared the midfielder would be unavailable for the next stage of the tournament.

According to The Athletic, Onana has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an injury that would typically require a lengthy period of recovery and could keep him out for several months.

Images of the 23-year-old leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee have added to concerns that Belgium will be without one of their key midfield players for the rest of the competition.

The injury is a significant setback for both club and country.

Onana joined Aston Villa from Everton in the summer of 2024 and quickly became an important figure in the Premier League side’s midfield. Since arriving at Villa Park, he has made 72 appearances for the club and featured in 38 matches across all competitions last season.

His performances helped Aston Villa secure Europa League success and qualification for the UEFA Champions League, underlining his growing importance at the highest level of European football.

For Belgium, the loss of Onana comes at a crucial stage of the World Cup. The Red Devils have already produced impressive victories over Senegal and the United States during their run to the quarter-finals, with Onana playing a central role in the team’s midfield balance.

Rudi Garcia must now consider alternative options ahead of Belgium’s next knockout fixture, with Vanaken among the players capable of stepping into the role left vacant by the injured midfielder.

Medical assessments are expected to continue in the coming days, but the early indications point to a lengthy absence for one of Belgium’s most influential players during the tournament.

While Belgium celebrate their progress to the last eight, the focus has quickly shifted to the condition of Onana, whose injury threatens to end both his World Cup campaign and potentially the start of Aston Villa’s upcoming season.