USMNT's James Sands (ankle surgery) in doubt for World Cup

Field Level Media|published: Fri 13th March, 21:57 2026

Oct 14, 2025; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; USA defender James Sands during the first half against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The U.S. men's national team might not have the services of defender James Sands in the World Cup after a left ankle injury ended his Bundesliga season last weekend.

Sands, 25, was scheduled to have surgery on his ankle Friday in Munich, Germany, according to his club, FC St. Pauli.

The club offered no timeframe for Sands' return to the pitch.

A Rye, N.Y., native, Sands was injured last Sunday on a foul against Eintracht Frankfurt, but it took days for scans to reveal the extent of the injury.

Since 2021, Sands has 14 appearances for the USMNT, with the most recent coming in October as a starter in a friendly win against Australia.

The USMNT opens play June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

--Field Level Media

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