Barcelona captain set to miss national team’s next two World Cup matches

Barcelona captain set to miss national team’s next two World Cup matches According to Mundo Deportivo , Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is unlikely to be available for Uruguay’s next two group matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Cape Verde and Spain. The centre-back is still recovering from the calf injury he suffered on 4 June, just days before joining Uruguay’s squad for the tournament. Araujo injured After sustaining a minor tear in his calf muscle, Araujo made a brief trip to Spain to undergo treatment with trusted physiotherapist Joaquin Juan before rejoining the national team setup ahead of the World Cup in North America. As expected, the injury ruled him out of Uruguay’s opening match against Saudi Arabia, and will definitely keep him out of their second Group H encounter against Cape Verde. Out of Uruguay’s next two games. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images) Although the defender has been making steady progress in his recovery, sources close to the Uruguay camp suggest that returning in time for the Spain fixture also remains highly unlikely. What it means is that Araujo will not face his eight Barcelona teammates who are in the Spain squad, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Ferran Torres. The match is expected to be decisive in determining qualification from a tightly contested group, with all four teams level after the opening round of fixtures. Focus on recovering for the knockouts As per the report, Uruguay’s medical staff are focused on ensuring Araujo is fully fit for the knockout stages rather than rushing his comeback. If Marcelo Bielsa’s side progress, the Barcelona defender could target a return in the Round of 32, scheduled for 3 or 4 July. Focus on recovering for the knockouts. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) The Uruguay manager already acknowledged that the Barça captain’s injury was their responsibility, and even defended the player’s trip to Spain for treatment before the World Cup. “In the last six months Araujo had no muscle injury and if a player tears something while training, there is something wrong,” Bielsa had said . “Araujo works with people he trusts a lot, all decisions are agreed with those people and with Araujo. We feel responsible and we could not have done anything different from what we did.” For now, Uruguay appear set to continue without one of their key defensive leaders, while Barcelona will also be monitoring his recovery closely ahead of the new club season.