Didier Deschamps confirms Hugo Ekitike will miss 2026 World Cup

Hugo Ekitike’s dream of playing at the 2026 World Cup is over after the striker suffered a serious Achilles injury in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to PSG.

The blow means he will not only miss the rest of the season with his club but also the chance to represent his country on football’s biggest stage.

The news was confirmed by France head coach Didier Deschamps, who underlined how important Ekitike had quickly become within the national team setup. He explained that Ekitike was one of several young players to have made their debut in recent months and that he had settled perfectly in the squad, both on and off the pitch.

“Hugo is one of a dozen young players who have made their debut for the national team in recent months. He had integrated perfectly into the group, both on and off the field.”

Deschamps admitted the setback is “a hard blow” for both the player and France, but expressed total faith in his recovery. He added that Ekitike’s disappointment is immense, yet the entire staff is behind him and “We all think about him a lot.”