Chris Richards' World Cup in question as USMNT defender suffers ankle injury
Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards has suffered a major ankle injury, which could yet see him miss out on the rapidly approaching FIFA World Cup, with his status for the UEFA Conference League Final also in doubt
Chris Richards recently tore two ankle ligaments playing for Crystal Palace -Credit:Sebastian Frej/Getty Images With well under a month to go until the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, Mauricio Pochettino’s U. S. Men’s National Team has been dealt yet another major injury blow.
Arguably the side’s best defender, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, has torn two ligaments in his ankle, as per Palace boss Oliver Glasner. The injury seems to have stemmed from Palace’s 2-2 draw against Brentford on Sunday, with Glasner stating that Richards will be unavailable for their Premier League finale against Arsenal on Sunday, while his status for their upcoming UEFA Conference League Final versus Rayo Vallecano the following Wednesday remains up in the air. DR Congo expected to receive U.
S. Travel Exemption for 2026 World Cup despite Ebola Outbreak Clint Dempsey warns of World Cup ‘nightmare’ scenario for USMNT as legend makes prediction Richards' status for the upcoming FIFA World Cup remains a question mark -Credit:Ryan Pierse/Getty Images “Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well, and it's now 50/50 for him and for us if he can play in the Final in Leipzig,” Glasner said, via ESPN . “He tore two ligaments in his ankle.
I think it's stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling. He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time. “He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best -- and then let's see if we can get it done.