Ghana international Mohammed Kudus is expected to miss the 2026 World Cup after sustaining a hamstring injury, dealing a significant setback to both club and country.
The midfielder had only recently been working his way back to fitness following a quad injury suffered on 4 January. His recovery period has already kept him sidelined for 97 days, marking the longest spell without competitive action in his career.
During that time, Kudus has missed 16 matches for his club, Spurs, raising concerns about his fitness and long-term availability. The latest injury further compounds an already difficult period for the player, who had been aiming to return to full match sharpness.
Kudus’ absence is likely to be a major blow for Ghana, particularly given his recent contributions on the international stage. His last appearance for the Black Stars came during the World Cup qualifiers, where he played a decisive role. He scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Comoros, a result that secured Ghana’s qualification for the tournament.
That performance underlined his importance to the national side, where he has become a key attacking figure. However, the new injury now casts serious doubt over his participation in the 2026 competition, with recovery timelines suggesting he may not return in time.
The 23-year-old has earned 46 caps for Ghana and scored 13 goals, establishing himself as one of the team’s most influential players in recent years. His potential absence from the World Cup would represent a significant loss for the squad, both in terms of experience and attacking threat.
Injuries have increasingly disrupted Kudus’ momentum, with this latest setback coming at a particularly crucial point in his career. Having already endured nearly three months out of action, the addition of a hamstring problem raises fresh concerns about his ability to regain peak condition quickly.
While there has been no official confirmation on the exact duration of his recovery, early indications suggest that the timeline could extend beyond the World Cup period. This would effectively rule him out of the tournament, denying him the chance to build on his previous international performances.
For Ghana, attention will now turn to how the team adapts in his absence, as they prepare for the global competition without one of their standout performers.
