The U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) faces a significant setback as it prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Center back Cameron Carter-Vickers has been sidelined due to an Achilles injury.
Injury Update for Cameron Carter-Vickers
On Friday, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Carter-Vickers will be unavailable for three to five months. This announcement follows his full participation in a recent match against Sturm Graz, where Celtic achieved a 2-1 victory in the Europa League.
Rodgers stated, “[Carter-Vickers] looks like he’s done his Achilles, which could be anywhere between three and five months. It’s not great news.” This injury marks a significant loss for both Celtic and the USMNT, as Carter-Vickers has played a pivotal role in the team.
Impact on USMNT Preparations
Carter-Vickers’s absence may create openings for other players ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Notably, Canadian fullback Alistair Johnston also suffered an injury during the same match, further complicating the defensive lineup.
- Carter-Vickers was called up for friendlies against Ecuador and Australia in October.
- His last competitive appearance for the USMNT was in a loss to Canada during the Concacaf Nations League.
- He is expected to miss international friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay in November.
Potential Replacements
With Carter-Vickers out, several defenders may step up to fill the void:
- Mark McKenzie
- Miles Robinson
- Auston Trusty
- Walker Zimmerman
- Noahkai Banks
Next Steps and Future Matches
Carter-Vickers’s recovery timeline will determine his availability for the World Cup. If it extends to five months, he may not return until March, just three months before the tournament commences.
The next scheduled competitive match for the USMNT will be its World Cup opener on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The team also plans to participate in a January camp, but no official friendly matches are set until late March.
