Éder Militão Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup After Decision to Undergo Hamstring Surgery

Real Madrid CF defender Éder Militão will travel to Finland this week for surgery on a hamstring injury sustained during the club’s recent La Liga fixture against Deportivo Alavés. The Brazilian centre-back suffered the problem in Madrid’s 2-1 victory and is now expected to face an extended recovery period.

According to reports from Marca, Militão chose a surgical procedure after discussions over the best course of treatment. While a non-surgical option could have shortened his time away from football, the player reportedly decided on surgery to reduce the risk of recurring issues in the future.

World Cup Setback for Brazil Defender

The decision means the 28-year-old is likely to remain out of action for around five months. As a result, Militão is expected to miss the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Brazil national football team.

The injury represents another setback for the defender, who has dealt with fitness concerns in recent seasons. Real Madrid are already managing a demanding schedule across domestic and European competitions, and Militão’s absence will reduce their defensive options during a key part of the campaign.

Club officials have yet to provide an exact return date, but the recovery timeline is expected to rule him out for the remainder of the current international cycle.