Johnny Cardoso is set to miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup after suffering a serious right ankle injury that will require surgery, dealing a major blow to the United States national team just weeks before the tournament begins.
His club, Atletico Madrid, confirmed the development, announcing that the midfielder would undergo an operation following the injury sustained during training last week. While the club did not provide a detailed timeline for his recovery, the nature of the surgery is expected to keep the 24-year-old sidelined for several months, effectively ruling him out of the World Cup.
Atletico Madrid also did not immediately disclose where or when the surgery would take place, but medical experts generally consider ankle procedures of this kind to involve lengthy rehabilitation periods before a player can return to competitive football.
Cardoso reportedly twisted and severely sprained his ankle during a training session, and further examinations revealed damage significant enough to require surgical intervention. The injury comes at the worst possible moment for both the player and the U.S. national team, with the World Cup now just a month away.
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The midfielder has become an increasingly important figure for the United States since making his international debut in 2020. Over the past few years, Cardoso has earned 23 appearances for the national side and established himself as a dependable presence in midfield because of his composure on the ball, defensive awareness, and ability to control the tempo of matches.
His absence is expected to create a difficult selection challenge for U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has been preparing his squad for the tournament opener against Paraguay national football team on June 13 in Inglewood, California.
The United States will also face Australia national soccer team and Turkey national football team in Group D as they aim to progress to the knockout stages.
Cardoso’s injury is particularly disappointing given his strong form leading into the tournament and the important role he was expected to play in midfield. With the World Cup approaching rapidly, the U.S. coaching staff will now have to reorganize their plans and identify suitable alternatives capable of filling the void left by one of their most reliable midfielders.
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