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Mexico Defender at Risk of Missing 2026 World Cup After Nasty Injury

Three El Tri players have suffered long-term injuries in the past six months.
Roberto Casillas
Jesús Orózco (bottom) was visibly emotional after suffering an injury in the Liga MX semifinals.
Jesús Orózco (bottom) was visibly emotional after suffering an injury in the Liga MX semifinals. / Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images

Mexico national team center back Jesús Orozco could miss the 2026 World Cup after dislocating his ankle during the Liga MX Apertura 2025 semifinals.

Orozco was trying to help Cruz Azul mount a comeback against Tigres when he extended his right foot trying to block a shot. Immediately after the ball impacted his foot, his ankle awkwardly bent out of position as he slipped on the ground, resulting in one of the most gruesome injuries witnessed in recent Liga MX memory.

Cruz Azul released a statement informing Orozco underwent successful surgery on his ankle on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The club didn’t specify a recovery timeline, simply stating that his availability will be determined by his evolution.

Unfortunately for Orozco, it appears the worst case scenario came to fruition. The Cruz Azul man didn’t only dislocate his ankle, there was also significant damage to the tendons and ligaments in the area that had to be surgically repaired, per TUDN and ESPN.

Originally the hope was that Orozco could return to action in three to four months, but given the additional damage, everything points towards the young defender being sidelined for six months.

It’ a brutal blow for one of Liga MX’s best young defenders, one that forces not only Cruz Azul to look for alternatives, but perhaps more importantly, Javier Aguirre and the Mexico national team.

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Orozco’s 2026 World Cup Dream in Essentially Over

Javier Aguirre and Jesús Orozco
Jesús Orozco (right) had become a regular with El Tri under Javier Aguirre. / Omar Vega/Getty Images

With the 2026 World Cup now just seven months away, Orozco faces a strenuous race against the clock to be ready in time for the tournament, with many reporters already stating he’ll miss out on his first career World Cup.

The 23-year-old had emerged over the past year as the ideal backup for Johan Vásquez in the heart of defense. The towering defender is stellar on the ball and had the added benefit of being the only left-footed center back on Aguirre’s recent rosters apart from Vásquez.

Aguirre will have to search for alternatives for suitable cover for Vásquez, because El Tri is tempting fate if the Genoa captain experiences any injury issues himself. Other defenders will have to impress in the coming months because Aguirre doesn’t have the luxury to wait for Orozco’s full recovery.

Orozco is the latest Mexico international to suffer a major injury that puts his 2026 World Cup status at serious risk, with Rodrigo Huescas and Luis Chávez both sustaining ACL tears within the last six months.

Orozco Posts on Social Media About Injury

Orozco took to social media in the aftermath of the Liga MX semifinals to share some insight on his situation.

“Thank you from the heart for every message, every sign of love and for all the support I’ve received in these difficult hours,” Orozco wrote. “To my teammates, coaching staff and all the people of Cruz Azul, thank you for helping me from the first moment.

“I also want to recognize Tigres’ supporters, that behaved admirably and gifted me with an ovation I’ll never forget when I left the pitch.

“The road won’t be easy, but I know that together with this great team that backs me, the process will be lighter and I will come out of this stronger. See you soon.”

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