Chris Richards is in real jeopardy of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup Richards has been diagnosed with two torn ankle ligaments, which will force him to miss Crystal Palace’s Premier League finale on Sunday. He is also questionable for Palace’s UEFA Conference League Final date with Ray Vallecano on Wednesday, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed today in his prematch press conference.“Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well, and it’s now 50/50 for him and for us if he can play in the Final in Leipzig,” Glasner said. “He tore two ligaments in his ankle. I think it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling. He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time.“He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best – and then let’s see if we can get it done,” he added.Richards suffered the injury in the latter stages of Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw with Brentford last Sunday. The U.S. men’s national team centerback came off the bench and played the final 20+ minutes as the Eagles earned one point from the GTech Community Stadium. Richards’ absence from the USMNT squad later this month would be a major loss for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad ahead of the World Cup. The veteran defender has stepped up as the program’s No. 1 centerback and has earned 36 caps to date. Pochettino is scheduled to announce his World Cup roster on May 26 ahead of final tuneups against Senegal and Germany. Should Richards miss the summer competition, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, and Miles Robinson will all be options to start alongside longtime veteran Tim Ream.