Johnny Cardoso undergoes ankle surgery, misses home World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 2:07 AM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
Johnny Cardoso, a midfielder for Atletico Madrid, will miss the upcoming World Cup due to a high-grade right ankle sprain that requires surgery. The injury occurred just weeks before the U.S. national team squad was finalized, halting Cardoso's breakout season. Only 24, Cardoso had made history by becoming the third American to start a Champions League semifinal in April, showcasing his rapid rise in European football. He joined Atletico following a successful stint at Real Betis, where he developed a reputation as a versatile defensive midfielder. His absence leaves the U.S. team without a key piece for the tournament hosted in his birth country.
- •Cardoso suffered a high-grade ankle sprain requiring surgery.
- •He was a crucial player expected to anchor the U.S. midfield.
- •Atletico Madrid confirmed his injury weeks before the World Cup.
- •Cardoso had started in a Champions League semifinal in April.
- •His absence alters the U.S. lineup strategy for the tournament.
- 2:07 AMYahoo Sports — One Ankle Injury Cost Johnny Cardoso the Home World Cup He Spent His Life Chasing
"In late April, Johnny Cardoso walked off the field having become the third American in history to start a Champions League semifinal. He was 24, anchoring the midfield of Atletico Madrid, one of the most demanding clubs in European football, and the timing felt almost scripted. A breakout season in Spain, a place locked down…
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