The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and as the club season winds down, a flurry of injury updates and performance issues are already reshaping the rosters set to compete across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For coaches finalizing their squads, every weekend brings new headaches—and new storylines. Here are the five most impactful developments from the past week that could define the tournament.

First up, Christian Pulisic is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The USMNT star and AC Milan striker has hit a rough patch in 2026, with his last goal coming all the way back on December 28 against Hellas Verona. Since then, he's managed just one assist, and injuries are eating into his playing time. Pulisic missed Milan's crucial 3–2 loss to Atalanta over the weekend due to a minor issue, leaving the Rossoneri at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification with only two games left. For a player expected to lead the U.S. on home soil at the World Cup, this dip in form is worrying. He hasn't scored for the national team since 2024, though he insists he's not concerned.

In more troubling news for the USMNT, central midfielder Johnny Cardoso of Atlético Madrid will undergo surgery and is now ruled out of the World Cup entirely—a major blow to the team's midfield depth.

Across the Atlantic, Spain is holding its breath. Athletic Club star Nico Williams left the pitch in tears during Sunday's match against Valencia after suffering what appeared to be a muscular injury. His brother, Iñaki Williams, shared a sobering update: "The injury is a bit of a question. I just spoke with him. It's not the time to overwhelm him—he has many things on his mind. He was quite sad and said he has never felt pain like this." Nico was a breakout star at Euro 2024, where he helped lead Spain to the title, and his potential absence would be a devastating loss for Luis de la Fuente's squad.

Finally, FIFA has extended the ban on Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni at UEFA's request, meaning he will miss Argentina's first two group-stage matches at the World Cup. For the defending champions, every game matters—and losing a key piece early could shake up their title defense.