PHOTO: AFP

A significant slice of flair is under threat ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Brazil’s Estevao Willian facing injury concerns, while Germany winger Serge Gnabry has already been ruled out. Yamal picked up a hamstring injury after scoring the winner in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the LaLiga yesterday. The 18-year-old will miss the rest of the season, the club confirmed, but is expected to recover in time for the World Cup. Estevao, however, is reportedly “highly unlikely” to be fit for the start of the mega event after suffering a Grade 4 hamstring injury during Chelsea loss to Manchester United last Sunday. Gnabry, meanwhile, will miss the World Cup entirely after confirming a thigh (adductor) injury, bringing an early end to his season with Bayern Munich.