Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso is set for ankle surgery, deepening the injury concerns around Mauricio Pochettino’s squad just weeks before the 2026 tournament begins.
The United States men’s national team has been dealt a significant setback ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso set to undergo surgery on his right ankle after suffering a severe sprain in training.
The injury places Cardoso’s participation in serious doubt just as U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares to finalize his 26-man squad for a tournament the country will co-host with Mexico and Canada. The timing could hardly be worse: the World Cup begins on June 11, and the United States opens its Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California.
Cardoso, 24, had already endured a difficult debut season at Atletico, with injuries limiting his rhythm and reducing his recent international involvement. Reuters reported that he played only 45 minutes during the March international window, leaving him short of match sharpness even before the latest setback.
For Pochettino, the problem is larger than one player. The U.S. squad is already managing fitness concerns around several important names, including Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Tanner Tessmann, all of whom are recovering from injuries as the final preparation phase begins.
Cardoso’s absence would be particularly damaging because midfield balance is one of the central questions around the U.S. team. His profile offers defensive coverage, ball progression and tactical discipline — qualities that become even more valuable in tournament football, where compact matches are often decided by control in the middle third.
The United States will play warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6, two fixtures that now carry added importance. They will not only test Pochettino’s tactical structure, but also help determine which players are physically ready for the pressure of a home World Cup.
The broader context is equally demanding. As co-hosts, the United States enters the tournament under heightened scrutiny, with expectations shaped not only by sporting ambition but by the symbolic importance of performing well on home soil. Group D will require immediate focus: after Paraguay, the U.S. is also scheduled to face Australia and Turkey.
Cardoso’s injury does not end America’s World Cup hopes, but it narrows Pochettino’s margin for error. In a tournament where squad depth and physical resilience often prove decisive, the U.S. now faces a familiar pre-World Cup challenge: building momentum while racing against the injury clock.
