Tariq Lamptey to miss 2026 World Cup after injury setback
Ghana defender Tariq Lamptey is set to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Italian club ACF Fiorentina confirmed the mutual termination of his contract following a long-term knee injury.
The 25-year-old right-back suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee in September, only weeks after completing a move from Brighton & Hove Albion to the Serie A side.
Lamptey made just two appearances for Fiorentina before the setback, coming off the bench in matches against SSC Napoli and Como 1907.
The injury occurred during Fiorentina’s clash with Como on 21 September, with the Ghana international unable to feature again afterwards. In total, he played only 25 minutes for the club.
At the time, Fiorentina described the defender’s condition as a “complex medical situation”, raising fears over the extent of the damage.
The decision to part ways with Lamptey has now intensified concerns that he will not recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico next month.
Lamptey has endured a difficult run with injuries throughout his career since emerging through the academy at Chelsea FC before joining Brighton in 2020.
Despite his fitness struggles, the defender has earned 11 caps for Ghana national football team. His most recent appearance for the Black Stars came in October 2024.
Ghana have been drawn in Group G alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team and Panama national football team for the tournament.
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