Sébastien Haller faces a race against time to prove his fitness before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his physical condition at FC Utrecht raising concern for Ivory Coast national football team.
The striker has been troubled by a series of problems, ranging from a muscle strain to recent rib pain, limiting his ability to build rhythm and consistency.
Those interruptions have prevented him from regaining full competitive sharpness and now threaten his place as an automatic starter in the national side’s attack.
Despite reduced playing time, Haller remains influential within the squad.
His presence is valued both mentally and technically, and his target-man qualities and composure in front of goal are considered rare within the team.
For that reason, the coaching staff may be reluctant to leave him out if he can demonstrate adequate fitness before the tournament.
The coming months will therefore be decisive.
If Haller manages to play several matches before June, his international experience could compensate for a lack of peak physical condition.
However, the situation remains uncertain with four months remaining before kick-off.
Ivory Coast’s medical staff will closely monitor the remainder of his club season as they assess whether he can complete it without further setbacks.
A sustained run of appearances would strengthen confidence in his readiness, while continued interruptions could force the team to explore alternative attacking options.
For now, the scenario remains open.
Should his body respond positively, Haller would continue as the first-choice striker.
If not, the national side may need to accelerate plans to test other forwards capable of leading the attack on the world stage.
