USMNT Dealt Crushing Blow as Champions League Star Johnny Cardoso Loses World Cup Spot

U.S. men's national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his club Atlético Madrid confirmed on Monday that he will require surgery.

The 24-year-old was diagnosed last Thursday with a severe high-grade right ankle sprain, forcing him to cut short that day's training session. Atlético subsequently carried out scans at the club's training ground and administered physiotherapy and rehabilitation before concluding that surgery was necessary, effectively ending Cardoso's chances of featuring for the Stars and Stripes this summer.

The setback arrives just 31 days before the USMNT kicks off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and only 15 days before head coach Mauricio Pochettino is scheduled to announce his squad at a May 26 live event in New York City. 

Cardoso made the move to Atlético Madrid in July from Real Betis ahead of the 2025-26 season, though he found it difficult to nail down a regular starting spot. His most recent outing — his 30th appearance of the campaign — came in his club's UEFA Champions League semifinal defeat away at Arsenal. 

On the international stage, Cardoso has earned 23 caps for the USMNT and featured for 45 minutes in the team's 5–2 loss to Belgium in March, before picking up a separate injury and returning to Spain for treatment, causing him to miss the subsequent friendly against Portugal. 

This story will be updated.