Johnny Cardoso's hopes of representing the United States at the 2026 World Cup have taken a significant hit after Atlético Madrid confirmed the midfielder suffered a high-grade sprain in his right ankle during Thursday's training session. The Spanish club announced that Cardoso will undergo rehabilitation and physiotherapy, with no clear timeline for his return to the pitch.
At 24 years old, Cardoso was far from a guaranteed selection for U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster, but his stock had been rising steadily. His pivotal role in Atlético Madrid's impressive run to the Champions League semifinals had many believing he was making a strong case for a spot on the plane to the tournament. That momentum has now been abruptly halted.
A high-grade ankle sprain typically requires several weeks—and in some cases, multiple months—of recovery. With Pochettino set to announce his squad on May 26, time is simply not on Cardoso's side. Even if he manages to heal quickly, regaining match fitness and form before the tournament kicks off would be a monumental challenge.
The U.S. squad will open its World Cup camp on May 27 at the new national training center outside Atlanta. Preparations include friendlies against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago. The team's Group D campaign begins on June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, California.
Cardoso's recent form had been encouraging. He started the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Arsenal and came off the bench early in the second half of the decisive second leg in London, which Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate. He was also part of the U.S. camp in March, starting against Belgium before being forced off at halftime with a muscular injury. He did not feature in the friendly against Portugal three days later.
Cardoso's club career has been on a rapid upward trajectory. After beginning at Internacional in Brazil, he moved to Real Betis in Spain before making the high-profile switch to Atlético Madrid last summer. He has made 15 La Liga appearances this season, showcasing the versatility and tenacity that made him a key figure in Diego Simeone's system.
For now, the focus is on recovery. As Atlético Madrid put it in their statement: "We wish you a speedy recovery, Johnny. You'll come back stronger." Whether that return comes in time for a World Cup debut remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the road just got a whole lot steeper.