Marcel Ruiz of Mexico sidelined for 2026 World Cup due to torn ACL.
Mexico has encountered another significant injury setback ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as midfielder Marcel Ruiz has been ruled out of the tournament following an announcement from his club, Toluca, on Friday regarding a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.
Ruiz sustained the injury during the first half of Toluca’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against MLS side San Diego FC on Thursday. He was substituted in the 40th minute and was observed leaving the field with ice applied to his right leg after the match concluded.
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“Our player Marcel Ruiz has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a medial meniscus tear in his right knee during the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 in San Diego,” Toluca stated in a release on Friday.
“Our midfielder will require surgery in the coming days, and his recovery timeline will be contingent on his rehabilitation progress.”
Ruiz, 25, was considered a guaranteed selection for Mexico’s World Cup roster and had started in all three matches thus far in 2026 under national team coach Javier Aguirre.
This development adds to Aguirre’s challenges, following the injury of Club América goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, another likely choice for Mexico, who ruptured his Achilles earlier this week, also sidelining him for the World Cup.
In addition to these injuries, key international players such as Edson Álvarez, Rodrigo Huescas, César Montes, Mateo Chávez, Gilberto Mora, and César Huerta are currently recovering from various short-term injuries, leaving uncertainties in several positions on Mexico’s roster.
While Toluca will continue its Liga MX campaign on Saturday at home against Toluca, Mexico will prepare for the World Cup without Ruiz in upcoming friendlies later this month against Portugal on March 28 and Belgium on March 31.
Mexico is co-hosting this summer’s World Cup with the United States and Canada, and will play the tournament’s opening match against South Africa on June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
