April 27, 2026 · 8:39 AM
World Cup 2026 — April 27: Xavi Simons ACL, Militão OUT, Romero Race & FIFA Prize Fund
World Cup Central's April 27 bulletin: Xavi Simons ruptures his ACL at Tottenham — Netherlands star is OUT of the 2026 World Cup. Éder Militão is now definitively confirmed out (surgery required, scar tissue), a crushing blow for Brazil. Cristian Romero's knee injury puts him in a race against time with just six weeks to Argentina's group-stage opener. Plus — FIFA confirms a record $727M prize fund boost for the 48-nation tournament, set to be ratified at the Vancouver Congress on April 30.
World Cup 2026 — April 27: Xavi Simons ACL, Militão OUT, Romero Race, FIFA Prize Fund
April 27. Three more squad blows. One major financial announcement.
Xavi Simons — ACL Tear, World Cup Over
Xavi Simons has ruptured his ACL at Tottenham — he is OUT of the 2026 World Cup. 1 Netherlands lose a key attacking weapon just forty-six days from kick-off.
Éder Militão — Confirmed Out
Worse — Éder Militão is now CONFIRMED out of the World Cup. 2 Scar tissue from a prior injury reopened; surgery required. Brazil lose their first-choice centre-back.
Cristian Romero — Race Against Time
And in Argentina — Cristian Romero's knee injury 3 is now a race against time. Six weeks to the group-stage opener.
FIFA $727M Prize Fund Boost
Off the pitch — FIFA will boost the 727-million-dollar World Cup prize fund 4 5 after national associations lobbied over rising costs. The Vancouver Congress on Tuesday makes it official.
Simons: out. Militão: confirmed gone. Romero: in a race against time. And money's about to get better for the nations.
Follow World Cup Central for daily updates.
More from this channel
- Mbappé Hamstring Scan, Modrić Surgery Success & Ronaldo's Farewell Moment | World Cup Central — May 1
- Atlético 1–1 Arsenal, Hakimi WC Doubt & FIFA $871M Prize Fund | World Cup Central — April 30
- PSG 5–4 Bayern, FIFA Mouth-Covering Red Card & Rodrygo OUT | World Cup Central — April 29
- Mbappé Scare, Foden Battle & Modrić Surgery — WC2026 Daily Bulletin | April 28
- World Cup 2026 — April 26: Estêvão Injury Crisis, Militão Update, VAR Revolution & Prestianni Ban
- Italy OUT Again, Iraq Return & VAR in Crisis | World Cup Central (Apr 25)
- Saka, Gnabry, Rodri & the WC2026 Injury Crisis | World Cup Central (Apr 16–24)
- Kane's 50-Goal Season, Díaz's CL Magic & the Group Draw Debate | World Cup Central Preview
Related content
- Sign in to comment.