Mexico Striker Santiago Gimenez Sidelined 3-6 Weeks After England Clash

Mexico’s World Cup 2026 campaign took a painful turn even before their Round of 16 exit to England. Striker Santiago Gimenez is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a right ankle sprain in the final minutes of the match. The AC Milan forward limped off the pitch while Mexico were down to ten men — not because of a red card, but because they had already used all three substitutions. England had a player sent off early in the second half, but Mexico could not capitalize and eventually lost. Post-game scans revealed a Grade 2 lateral ankle sprain. The 25-year-old will undergo further testing, but if the initial diagnosis holds, he’s looking at a recovery window of three to six weeks. That timeline could jeopardize the start of Milan’s season and Mexico’s upcoming fixtures. England, now through to the quarterfinals, will face Norway in Miami on July 12 at 12:00 local time.