Alexander Djiku has emerged as an injury concern for Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being forced off during the Russian Cup final between Spartak Moscow and FC Krasnodar.
The Ghanaian defender started the match for Spartak Moscow but was substituted in the 44th minute following an injury sustained during the first half of the contest.
Despite the setback, Spartak Moscow recovered to claim the trophy after a 1-1 draw against Krasnodar was followed by a 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout.
The extent of Djiku’s injury has not yet been officially confirmed, but the incident has already prompted concern among Ghana supporters with the World Cup approaching.
The 31-year-old is expected to undergo further medical examinations to establish the seriousness of the problem and determine how long he could be unavailable.
Djiku has become one of the central figures in Ghana’s defence in recent years and any prolonged absence would represent a significant blow to the Black Stars before the global tournament begins.
His injury comes at a crucial stage of Ghana’s preparations as the national team readies itself for a fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars are due to begin their campaign against Panama national football team before taking on England national football team and Croatia national football team in Group L.
Djiku’s experience and leadership have made him an important part of the Ghana squad, particularly in high-level international competitions. Concerns over his condition are therefore likely to be closely monitored by both the national team coaching staff and supporters in the coming days.
Although Spartak Moscow ultimately celebrated cup success, the defender’s early departure overshadowed part of the occasion from a Ghanaian perspective.
The Russian side had to continue without one of their defensive starters for more than half the match before eventually securing victory on penalties.
Attention is now expected to shift toward Djiku’s medical assessment, with Ghana fans awaiting updates on whether the injury could affect his availability for the World Cup.
The timing of the injury scare has added uncertainty to preparations for the tournament, where Ghana will aim to progress from a challenging group containing England, Croatia and Panama.
For now, there has been no official indication of the severity of the injury, but the coming medical evaluations are expected to provide greater clarity on the defender’s condition and potential recovery period ahead of the competition.
