Chris Richards Faces 2026 World Cup Doubt After Two Ankle Tears
Chris Richards is dealing with two torn ligaments in his left ankle after Crystal Palace’s 2–2 draw with Brentford last weekend. The injury now puts his place at Wednesday’s UEFA Europa Conference League final and his 2026 World Cup status in doubt.
Oliver Glasner on Richards
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said Thursday that Richards’ ankle is “stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling.” He added, “He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time.”
Glasner also said, “He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course, we have a great medical department, so we will give our best, and he will give his best—and then let’s see if we can get it done.”
Richards needed on-field treatment after a hard collision in the 77th minute against Brentford. He finished the match under clear discomfort, then needed assistance at the final whistle and limped off without significant weight on the ankle.
USMNT Plans at Risk
The timing is rough for the U.S. men’s national team. Richards has 36 caps and has been a key part of Mauricio Pochettino’s three- and four-man backlines, which had made him a lock for the 26-man squad set to be unveiled in New York City on Tuesday.
Now that certainty has faded. His left ankle injury leaves Crystal Palace without one of its regular defenders heading into the Rayo Vallecano final, and it leaves the U.S. waiting on a player who had looked settled in the middle of the World Cup picture.
The next stretch will be about whether the swelling eases enough for Richards to get back on the pitch. Until then, both Palace and the U.S. are left planning without a defender who was expected to be central to both lineups.
