Ghana’s World Cup hopes dealt blow with Mohammed Salisu injury

Ghana national team defender Mohammed Salisu will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his club, AS Monaco, announced that he had picked up a serious injury.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@asmonaco)

In a short statement from the Ligue 1 club, the center back suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear in his left knee during their domestic fixture against Olympique Lyonnais.

Further examinations revealed that the former Southampton defender will be sidelined for the rest of the season, dealing a big blow to Ghana head coach Otto Addo ahead of the World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico.

The statement read: “At the very end of the match against Olympique Lyonnais, our centre-back Mohammed Salisu suffered an injury to his left knee. Medical examinations revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament.”

“The Club will support Mohammed throughout his recovery and is behind him all the way. Stay strong, Sarki, we’re with you.”

Monaco suffered a humiliating 1-3 home loss against Lyon on Saturday in a Ligue 1 game marred by a red card to Mamadou Coulibaly, who scored the equalizer before the half time break.

The defeat continued to dent Monaco’s chances of chalking a European slot next season as they sit in 9th on the standings with 23 points from 17 games.

Salisu played a key role in Ghana’s successful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, where he partnered Alexander Djiku in central defence and his absence leaves coach Otto Addo the situation of finding a suitable replacement.

The Black Stars qualified for their fifth World Cup after winning their qualifying group with 25 points from ten games.

The four-time African champions are paired in Group L of the 2026 World Cup against England, Croatia and Panama.