Ghanaian midfielder Francis Abu faces a cruel blow to his burgeoning career, as French Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC have confirmed that he will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a severe injury.
The 24-year-old Abu suffered a horrific broken leg while representing the Black Stars in Friday’s 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup clash against Japan. The second-half incident forced the midfielder off the pitch on a stretcher, as Ghana fell to a 2-0 defeat.
In a statement, Toulouse FC revealed that Abu will be sidelined for several months, with the club pessimistic about his chances of recovery in time for the global tournament in the United States.
“Images we wish we could erase. Selected by Ghana’s Black Stars for friendlies against Japan and South Korea, Francis Abu has seen his season cut tragically short. Suffering a terrible injury, our midfielder will be out for several months and will unfortunately miss the 2026 World Cup… Truly heartbreaking news,” Toulouse FC said.
The club added, “The entire Toulouse family wishes you a swift and full recovery, Abu. Stay strong, our thoughts are with you during this challenging period.”
Following the injury, Abu has been recalled from Ghana’s camp in Asia to return to France for specialized medical treatment.