Mexico sweat over starter for World Cup after injury setback
Julián Araujo will miss the World Cup after Celtic boss Martin O’Neill revealed the extent of his injury.
Mexico’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have taken a huge blow, with defender Julián Araujo now emerging as a fresh injury concern just weeks before the tournament gets underway on home soil.
The right-back, on loan at Celtic from Bournemouth, is expected to miss the remainder of the Scottish Premiership season after suffering a setback during his recovery.
According to Martin O’Neill, the issue flared up again while Araujo was undergoing treatment away from the team, leaving his short-term future unclear and putting his availability for the summer in doubt.
🍀 "I don't think we'll see him for the rest of the season..."
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 10, 2026
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill does not expect Jullian Araujo to return during the title run-in after "reinjuring" himself while back at Bournemouth ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6J9ndGfbmd
“I don’t think we will see him again”
“Julián re-injured himself under supervision at Bournemouth, so that was a real blow,” O’Neill said about the right-back who is on loan from the Premier League club. I’ve only found that out today ... I don’t think we will see him for the rest of the season. I don’t know what sort of time element it is for his World Cup aspirations, don’t know that. But certainly for us, I don’t think we will see him again [this season] if it’s the same injury that he has redone.”
Araujo’s situation adds to a growing list of fitness issues affecting Mexico at the worst possible moment; Gilberto Mora, Santiago Giménez, and Edson Álvarez are all either doubts or completely ruled out of appearing for El Tri at the World Cup.
While his position was not a guarantee, the right-back position is an open one in the Mexico side, with nobody able to pin down a spot in that area of the pitch and calling it their own, making Julián’s injury even more damaging from a personal perspective.
Mexico play their World Cup opener at home on June 11 against South Africa before taking on South Korea on June 18 and Czechia on June 24.
🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚🚨
— The Parkhead Faithful (@TheParkheadF) April 10, 2026
Martin O’Neill has just confirmed that Julián Araujo is OUT for the season after re-injuring himself while under the supervision of Bournemouth.
A huge blow for Celtic at a crucial stage of the campaign and it could get even worse, with Araujo now also… pic.twitter.com/jwdC7T5E5v
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