USMNT Star's World Cup Dreams Crushed as Devastating Injury Threatens 2026 Campaign
United States men's national team defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has acknowledged it is "unlikely" he will be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while battling an Achilles tendon injury.
The central defender sustained this serious injury in October and was facing a three to five-month recovery period. While he would be absent for a significant portion of Celtic's 2025–26 season, Carter-Vickers had initially hoped to return to action well ahead of next summer's World Cup tournament.
However, Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill provided a concerning update regarding the American's condition, stating that Carter-Vickers will remain sidelined for the remainder of this season.
"We won't see him back," O'Neill commented before Celtic's fixture against St. Mirren. "I believe it could be April before he's even training on the field.
"Interestingly, I asked him yesterday whether he believed he'd be ready for the World Cup? And he responded that he felt it would be highly unlikely."
USMNT Will Be Without Carter-Vickers's Expertise at 2026 World Cup
The absence of Carter-Vickers for the World Cup represents a significant setback for the USMNT, particularly given that Mauricio Pochettino prefers deploying a three-man defense. The coach now has fewer central defensive options to complete his defensive formation.
Experienced defender Tim Ream and Crystal Palace's Chris Richards are virtually guaranteed selections for Pochettino, though his third defensive starter remains undetermined. Alex Freeman strengthened his position after scoring twice in the Stars and Stripes' commanding 5–1 triumph over Uruguay, although he typically operates as a fullback.
If the Argentine tactician prefers a natural central defender, Carter-Vickers would have been an attractive candidate. The 27-year-old is a solid, dependable defender with valuable European playing experience.
With Carter-Vickers unavailable, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty will compete with Freeman for selection when the USMNT begins their 2026 World Cup campaign, scheduled to commence in Los Angeles on June 12.