Hugo Ekitike ruled out of World Cup – France boss Didier Deschamps

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026 - 20:31

By Damian Spellman, Press Association

France boss Didier Deschamps has revealed that Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike will miss this summer’s World Cup after suffering a season-ending injury against Paris St Germain.

The 23-year-old damaged his ankle during the first half of Tuesday night’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat by the holders at Anfield, and the full extent of the injury became clear on Wednesday.

In a post on the France national team’s official X account, Deschamps said: “Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday night against PSG.

Les mots du sélectionneur Didier Deschamps pour Hugo Ekitiké 🙏

« Hugo s’est sérieusement blessé, mardi soir, contre le PSG. La gravité de sa blessure va malheureusement l’empêcher de terminer la saison avec Liverpool et de participer à la Coupe du Monde.

Hugo fait partie de… pic.twitter.com/Z6nWLhIgs7

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) April 15, 2026

“The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and from participating in the World Cup.

“Hugo is one of about 10 young players who have made their debuts for the national team in recent months.

“He had integrated perfectly into the group, both on and off the pitch. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team.

“His disappointment is immense. Hugo will get back to his best, I’m sure of it. But I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire staff.

“We know he will be fully behind the French team and we are all thinking of him.”

Ekitike, a £69million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, was carried from the field on a stretcher 31 minutes into Tuesday’s game with a suspected Achilles tendon injury.