Argentina striker Panichelli is likely to miss the World Cup due to a cruciate ligament injury

Argentina forward Joaquin Panichelli suffered a knee injury during training on Thursday, the national team said. Media reports indicate that he tore his cruciate ligament less than three months before the World Cup.

The 23-year-old has made just one appearance for the World Cup holders but was expected to feature in Friday’s friendly against Mauritius.

Panichelli is the top scorer in the French Ligue 1 this season with sixteen goals for Strasbourg.

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Argentina said in a social media post that he would undergo medical tests to determine the extent of the injury.

But local media said he had torn his ACL and would miss the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which starts on June 11.

Argentina begins its title defense against Algeria on June 16, before also facing Austria and Jordan in Group J of the expanded 48-team tournament.

Published on March 27, 2026