Canada’s Marcelo Flores out of World Cup: ‘My ACL is gone’

Canadian midfielder Marcelo Flores will miss the World Cup after suffering an ACL tear over the weekend.

Flores plays for Mexican titans UANL Tigres and was on the pitch for the club's CONCACAF Champions Cup final Saturday against Toluca when he went down with a noncontact right leg injury. He appeared to catch his foot in the grass while dribbling the ball.

Both Flores and Canada manager Jesse March confirmed the player's diagnosis on Sunday.

"Sorry, I haven't gotten back to anyone yet, really rough times. My ACL is gone," Flores posted on social media. "I wanted to say thank you to everyone and all the messages. I haven't been on my phone or checked messages, but I promise to get around to everyone and I really appreciate the concerns. I'll be back stronger."

Flores' injury occurred just one day after Marsch named him among the Canadians' 26-man roster for the World Cup, which the nation will co-host with Mexico and the United States. It's not yet known who will replace him on the roster.

Flores, 22, was gearing up for his first World Cup appearance. He was not part of the Canadian squad that competed in 2022 in the country's first appearance since 1986.

He originally committed to the Mexican international team before filing his one-time switch to represent Canada.

Flores had four goals for Tigres in the 2025-26 campaign.

--Field Level Media