Belgium has been dealt a major blow ahead of its quarterfinal clash with Spain: Amadou Onana is officially out of the World Cup. Tests confirmed the worst‑case scenario — a torn anterior cruciate ligament — an injury that will sideline the 24‑year‑old Aston Villa midfielder for roughly nine to 12 months.

Onana went down in Belgium’s Round of 16 tie against the United States after a non‑contact play, immediately signaling trouble. He was replaced by Hans Vanaken, and early evaluations already hinted that his tournament was over.

Onana out until 2027

Monday’s confirmation means he’ll miss the showdown with Spain and likely the bulk of the upcoming season. It’s still unclear whether he’ll remain with the team for the rest of the tournament or return to Europe for surgery.

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin said the entire squad is rallying around their injured teammate: “Amadou is a huge personality in this group. We’re supporting him and hoping he can stay with us. It was painful to see him leave the field like that. He even encouraged the guys at halftime — he delivered a really emotional message. He’s a great guy, and we want to fight for him until the end.”

Romelu Lukaku dedicated one of his goals against the USMNT to Onana. Late in the match, the injured midfielder appeared on the bench using crutches — a sight that confirmed the team’s fears.

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