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The most awaited football tournament is less than 42 days away. The players are gearing up for the mega event that will take place in Russia this summer and the fans are also getting excited to see their stars perform in the big stage, with a few for the last time, perhaps.
While some players are looking forward to the event to start, there are some that won't be that lucky. Injuries are really frustrating for the players, especially when it happens before the World Cup, but hey, there isn't much they can do about that.
Without much ado, let us look at the players that could miss the World Cup because of an injury.
P.S. Liverpool have confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee ligament damage in the 1st leg of the Champions League clash against AS Roma.
This list consists of players who could potentially miss the World Cup due to an injury.
#7 Lucas Biglia
In what could be his last World Cup, Lucas Biglia would have been eagerly looking forward to the tournament but fate had other plans for the 32-year-old.
While playing against Benevento, who Milan surprisingly lost 1-0 to, Biglia was taken off as he complained of a severe back injury.
In the statement, Milan said that Biglia had suffered “a severe lumbar trauma.” Further medical examinations will take place in the coming days, however, Argentina is hopeful that the player would be fit to play this summer.
#6 John Stones
Stones suffered a concussion while playing a friendly against Italy in March and then picked up another injury while training.
The centre-back is targeting to be back in action on 6th May to prove that the injury is behind him.
The young English defender has not made an appearance since early March but Pep Guardiola is hopeful that he can make an appearance before the season ends.
Stones is a very important player for Southgate as he plans to start with a back 3 in the World Cup and Stones is the heart of this approach.
Despite not being a regular with City, Southgate favoured Stones over Cahill and Smalling in the friendlies against Holland and Italy.
#5 Michy Batshuayi
The loan move to Dortmund was doing wonders for Michy Batshuayi as he saw himself rejuvenated and beaming with confidence.
But this was cut short as he suffered a ligament damage to his ankle which has ruled him out for the rest of this season.
The Chelsea loanee was stretched off after the injury and the player now hopes that he can be fit for the World Cup this summer.
Scoring nine goals in 14 games for Dortmund, Michy was looking forward to the World Cup but Roberto Martinez must now start looking for alternatives as the chances are slim for the Chelsea striker to go to Russia.
#4 Gylfi Sigurdsson
Everton's record signing, Sigurdsson, picked up a knee injury while playing against Brighton and has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
However, further tests reveal that he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks. This means that, even though his season has come to a stop, he could still play for Iceland this summer if he doesn't suffer any other setback.
With Iceland hoping to replicate their extraordinary Euro 2016, the fans would be hoping Sigurdsson is fit as he was a key player in the tournament.
#3 Manuel Neuer
After being out for seven months due to a metatarsal injury, the Bayern keeper returned back to training for the 1st time on 20th April. Being out for the entire season, it seems very little for the 32-year-old to play in Russia this summer.
The Germany coach, Joachim Loew is set to name his provisional squad on May 15th and as things stand, Neuer is not expected to make the cut.
Neuer has been an outstanding keeper for his club and country over the past years. Things could have been very different for Bayern had he played in the Champions League.
Loew would be hoping that his absence does not hurt Germany's chances of retaining the cup.
#2 Neymar
After suffering a broken metatarsal injury, it seemed that the 26-year-old would not play for Brazil this year.
Neymar has been very influential for his side in the World Cup having scored 53 goals in 83 games. With an injury ruling him out in the all-important match against Germany in 2014, he saw his side lose 7-1.
Brazil will be hoping that their star player is all fit and ready to board the plane to Russia for the mega tournament.
PSG recently released a statement that read "A medical examination of Neymar was conducted on Saturday by doctor Eric Rolland [PSG] and doctor Rodrigo Lasmar [Brazil national team] in Brazil.
"This examination confirmed the excellent evolution of the player's injuries to his right foot and ankle and authorises the removal of all protective and immobilising material.
"Neymar will continue his re-education in the coming days in Brazil and at the Ooredoo Training Centre [PSG's Camp des Loges training ground]."
#1 Jerome Boateng
After picking up a thigh injury against Real Madrid in a 2-1 first leg Champions League defeat, the German's World Cup chances hang in the air.
Further reports indicated that the player injured an adductor muscle in his left thigh and could be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
It doesn't seem that the defender would play for the club again this season but he still has the World Cup to look forward to.
His injury would come as a big blow for Low, who is the heart of the defensive back line along with Hummels.
However, with the depth Low has at his disposal, he wouldn't be too worried but would still want his 1st choice centre-back to be fit.
He faces a race against time as the preliminary squad must be confirmed by 15th May which can consist of 35 players before the 23-man squad is confirmed on 4th June.
