CCV Injury Setback

Defender to Miss the Rest of the Season

Cameron Carter-Vickers faces the devastating prospect of missing the 2026 World Cup after being ruled out for the remainder of Celtic's season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 27-year-old United States international sustained the serious injury during Celtic's Europa League victory over Sturm Graz last month, bringing his campaign to a premature and painful conclusion.

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill delivered the grim news, confirming that Carter-Vickers won't feature again this season and may not even return to grass training until April. When O'Neill asked the defender about his World Cup prospects, Carter-Vickers candidly admitted his participation looked highly unlikely.

The timing couldn't be worse for the USMNT center-back, who was beginning to work his way back into Mauricio Pochettino's plans. Although he hadn't been a regular fixture since Pochettino took charge in late 2024, Carter-Vickers was called up for October's friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. Pochettino's recent tactical shift to a back-three formation had opened potential opportunities for the defender to stake his claim.

Carter-Vickers becomes the first member of the USMNT player pool to face missing the home World Cup through injury, with just over six months remaining until the tournament begins. The Celtic defender was part of the 2022 World Cup squad, playing the full 90 minutes in the crucial group stage victory over Iran. His absence forces Pochettino to rely on other defensive options, including Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and fellow Celtic teammate Auston Trusty as the Americans prepare for their home tournament.