France national team manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike (23) will miss out on the 2026 World Cup with Les Bleus after sustaining a serious Achilles injury on Tuesday against PSG. The Premier League side has yet to confirm the severity of Ekitike’s injury, but several outlets in France have confirmed Liverpool’s worst fears: the forward has ruptured his right Achilles tendon.

In a statement released by Fédération Française de Football, Deschamps confirmed that the severity of Ekitike’s injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and from taking part in the 2026 World Cup. “Hugo is one of about ten young players who have made their debuts for the national team in recent months”, Deschamps added. “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 France national team.”

Ekitike scored two goals already with France, after making his debut with Les Bleus last Autumn. Given his form, he was nailed on to make Deschamps’ squad for the 2026 World Cup. The 1998 and 2018 World Cup winner said that Ekitike was “immensely disappointed“, but he assures that the Liverpool man will eventually get back to his best. 

“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.” Deschamps will unveil his World Cup squad next month, and Ekitike’s absence may play into the hands of several players, such as Tottenham Hotspur’s Randal Kolo Muani.