Liverpool and France have received a significant boost after striker Hugo Ekitike was deemed fit to join Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming international friendlies, despite being forced off with an injury at the weekend.
The 23-year-old has linked up with the national team in the United States ahead of matches against Brazil and Colombia, a critical final camp before Deschamps selects his squad for the 2026 World Cup. For Ekitike, who only received his first senior call-up in September, this window represents a vital audition to secure his place on the plane this summer.
Injury scare on the south coast
The call-up followed an anxious moment for Liverpool during their 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton on Saturday. Ekitike sustained a “dead leg” after a challenge from Brighton’s James Milner in just the third minute. After receiving treatment, the striker attempted to continue but was substituted after only nine minutes, leaving the pitch in tears and with a pronounced limp.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed the injury was “bad enough not to be able to continue,” expressing frustration given Ekitike’s strong recent form, which included a goal in a 4-0 Champions League victory over Galatasaray just days earlier. However, Slot downplayed the severity, stating the player “could play tomorrow if he needed to,” a sentiment backed by an injury expert’s prediction of a one-week recovery time.
Ekitike’s scare compounded a significant injury crisis at Anfield. Key players including Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, and Wataru Endo—whose season is likely over—are currently sidelined. Fellow striker Alexander Isak, a major summer signing, has been out since December with a broken leg and is targeting a return around April.
The final audition for a World Cup place
Ekitike’s timely recovery and subsequent travel to the US camp underscores its importance. With this being France’s last gathering before the World Cup, performances against Brazil and Colombia carry immense weight for players on the selection fringe.
The competition for attacking spots is fierce. Captain Kylian Mbappe, who headlines the squad after returning from a knee injury, and Randal Kolo Muani are direct competitors for the central striker role. The squad is also packed with wide and creative talent such as Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, and Rayan Cherki, illustrating the depth Ekitike must overcome.
His inclusion in this final preparatory camp, part of the “Road to 26” series, offers a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression on Deschamps before the final selection for the tournament in North America. For Liverpool, his swift return to fitness is also a relief with a demanding season run-in ahead, featuring an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City and a Champions League last-eight tie with Paris Saint-Germain.
