Rising Mexican Star's Injury Blow Rocks 2026 World Cup Dreams

The Mexican national squad received devastating news this week when it was announced that Rodrigo Huescas would be sidelined for the entire remaining season following an ACL rupture.

Huescas sustained the injury during FC Copenhagen's Champions League match against Qarabağ FK. The 22-year-old defender was competing for possession when his right foot became trapped in the turf and twisted unnaturally, forcing him to exit the field after merely 13 minutes of play.

Additional medical examinations revealed that Huescas would be unavailable for the season's duration following surgical intervention, as Copenhagen officially announced.

"On Thursday evening, Rodrigo [Huescas] underwent a scan back home in Copenhagen, which unfortunately confirmed that the injury is as serious as initially feared," the club wrote in a statement.

"This means Rodrigo [Huescas] now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, and he will be out for the rest of the season at the very least."

World Cup Dream All But Over For Rodrigo Huescas

The former Cruz Azul academy product had been among El Tri's standout performers during September's international friendlies, recording his inaugural assist for the national team in his third cap. With Mexico presently seeking reliable right-back alternatives, Huescas appeared to be El Tri's premier choice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Now, Mexico's sole participant in the 2025–26 Champions League group stage will almost certainly be absent from next summer's World Cup.

Within a span of three months, two Mexican players have endured severe knee injuries. Midfielder Luis Chávez also ruptured his ACL during the 2025 Gold Cup, confronting a difficult path to World Cup readiness.

Javier Aguirre has nine months to evaluate his right-back alternatives, with Jorge Sánchez and Julián Araújo appearing as the primary contenders to patrol the right side for El Tri next summer.

"He has shown continuous development and was on the verge of a major breakthrough in Europe," FC Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup said. "He was also looking ahead to a home World Cup in Mexico next summer, had he continued his strong performances."

"We are truly saddened on Rodrigo's [Huescas] behalf. It takes a strong mentality to come back from something like this, and we will support him every step of the way."