Mexican Marcel Ruiz will miss the 2026 World Cup due to a torn cruciate ligament.
Mexico suffered another major injury blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Midfielder Marcel Ruiz suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee and was ruled out of the tournament, according to a statement from his club Toluca on Friday.
Ruiz suffered the injury in the first half of Toluca’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against MLS team San Diego FC on Wednesday. Ruiz left the game in the 40th minute and was seen leaving the field with ice on his right leg after the final whistle.
Toluca announced on Friday, “Our player Marcel Ruiz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus in his right knee during the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 match played in San Diego.”
Our midfielder will undergo surgery in the coming days, and the recovery period will depend on the progress. ” he said.
25-year-old Ruiz was set to be a definite part of Mexico’s World Cup squad and had started in the starting eleven in all three matches played in 2026 under national team coach Javier Aguirre.
This news was another blow for Aguirre after Club América goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, who was also set to be a definite part of Mexico’s squad, tore his Achilles tendon earlier this week and was ruled out of the World Cup.
With important international players like Edson Álvarez, Rodrigo Huescas, César Montes, Mateo Chávez, Gilberto Mora, and César Huerta recovering from short-term injuries, there are still many question marks in the Mexican squad in various positions.
Toluca will continue their Liga MX campaign with a match against Toluca at home on Saturday, while Mexico, without Ruiz, will prepare for the World Cup with friendly matches against Portugal (March 28) and Belgium (March 31) later this month.
Mexico is co-hosting the World Cup with the United States and Canada this summer and will play the opening match of the tournament against South Africa on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
