Eder Militão Confirmed Out of 2026 World Cup — Real Madrid Defender Undergoes Surgery for Hamstring Injury

Real Madrid and the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that defender Eder Militão will miss the 2026 World Cup after undergoing surgery for a ruptured proximal tendon of the biceps femoris (hamstring) in his left leg — an injury requiring approximately five months of recovery. The surgery was performed in early May, ruling him out well past the tournament's July 19 final. Brazil's defensive options are already stretched: the squad has lost both Rodrygo (ACL/meniscus, confirmed out in March) and Estevao (Grade-4 hamstring, listed as doubtful). With Militão out, Brazil coach Dorival Júnior is expected to rely on the Marquinhos–Gabriel Magalhaes center-back pairing as the first-choice defensive partnership, with Bremer likely on the bench. Militão's Real Madrid partner Antonio Rüdiger remains available for Germany. Brazil open Group C on June 13 at Dallas against Japan, with Serbia (June 18) and Australia (June 22) completing their group-stage schedule — all at AT&T Stadium.