7M - Carvajal Injury Setback Casts Doubt on 2026 World Cup

Real Madrid have confirmed that Dani Carvajal sustained a fracture to a toe on his right foot. The injury sidelines him for upcoming fixtures versus Espanyol and El Clasico, yet the broader implication threatens his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Medical staff project a recovery window of approximately two weeks, though timing remains unfavorable. The defender has logged limited playing time this campaign, placing him in a precarious position ahead of Luis de la Fuente's final squad selection, as Spain enters the tournament among the favorites.

Carvajal's season has been hampered by recurring physical issues, including muscular strains and knee discomfort, causing him to miss 16 competitive matches. When accounting for tactical choices by coach Arbeloa, who has preferred Trent Alexander-Arnold, the total reaches 31 appearances without action. He was also omitted from Spain's recent friendly matches against Serbia and Egypt, with Marcos Llorente seemingly securing his role in the national setup.

During Spain's triumphant UEFA European Championship campaign, Carvajal started every match under Luis de la Fuente. However, his fitness challenges emerged following a knee ligament rupture, and he has since struggled to regain consistent form with La Roja. After returning from that setback, he featured only against Bulgaria in September 2025 during World Cup qualifying, before discomfort resurfaced and limited his international involvement.

Now, Carvajal faces a race against time. He must recover fully, accumulate match minutes, and demonstrate to the national team staff that he remains capable of contributing at the highest level, potentially in his final World Cup. The task is compounded by the impressive performances of alternatives Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro in the right-back position.