USMNT, Champions League Star Midfielder Johnny Cardoso Ruled Out of World Cup
U.S. men's national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso will not be available for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after club side Atlético Madrid announced on Monday that he will undergo surgery.
Last Thursday, the 24-year-old was diagnosed with a high-grade right ankle sprain, unable to complete the day's training session. Atlético then conducted scans at the club's training facility and performed physiotherapy sessions and rehabilitation work before determining that surgery was the correct course of action, leaving Cardoso unavailable for the Stars and Stripes this summer.
The injury comes just 31 days before the USMNT opens the World Cup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and just 15 days before manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to unveil his roster at a May 26 live event in New York City.
Cardoso joined Atlético Madrid in July from Real Betis ahead of the 2025-26 season, but struggled to find a consistent role in the team. His most recent performance and 30th appearance of the season came in his club's UEFA Champions League semifinal loss at Arsenal.
With the USMNT, Cardoso has 23 caps and played 45 minutes in the recent 5–2 March loss to Belgium, before suffering a separate injury and returning to Spain for further treatment, missing the following friendly against Portugal.
This story will be updated.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT, Champions League Star Midfielder Johnny Cardoso Ruled Out of World Cup.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM.