Johnny Cardoso is set to undergo surgery on his right ankle after sustaining the injury during training with Atletico Madrid and later aggravating it in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal. The 24-year-old midfielder is expected to miss significant time with a recovery timeline stretching into late July, effectively ruling him out of contention for the 2026 World Cup.
Cardoso has represented the United States Men’s National Team 23 times since his debut in 2022. Despite playing for one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, his international appearances have often been interrupted by injury. The midfielder has struggled to find consistent form with the USMNT, making just five starts in his last seven appearances. His absence from the team has limited his ability to develop chemistry with key USMNT players like Christian Pulisic and Jordan Morris.
Atletico Madrid confirmed the surgery in a statement, though they did not provide a specific recovery timeline. The Athletic reported that Atleti medical staff are projecting a return no earlier than the start of pre-season training in July. That timeline aligns with the likelihood that Cardoso will miss the entire World Cup window, which begins in November.
Cardoso’s potential absence is a significant loss for the USMNT as it prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. The team has struggled to build a consistent midfield presence, and Cardoso’s physicality and technical ability were expected to be key components of the squad. With the USMNT set to name its final World Cup roster in September, the coaching staff will need to find alternatives in central midfield.
The U.S. is expected to turn to players like Kellyn Acosta, who has been a steady presence in the middle of the park for both club and country. Other options include Yunus Musah and Sebastian Soto, who have shown promise in recent qualifiers. Head coach Gregg Berhalter will have to balance experience with fresh legs as the tournament approaches.
The USMNT will face Mexico and Canada in the final round of World Cup qualifiers starting in June. A strong run in those games could solidify the team’s identity and give Berhalter more confidence in his midfield choices as the World Cup nears.
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