Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo and Patrick Dorgu suffer Nations League injuries
September 27, 2026 21:41
WHAT HAPPENED
- Bruno Fernandes started Portugal’s win over Wales on Thursday but was not included in the squad for Sunday’s game against Norway. Portugal boss Jorge Jesus said Fernandes had “played through the pain”, “wasn’t his usual self” and “played with an injury he brought from Manchester United”, adding that “he really wanted to play against Wales.”
- Cody Gakpo was forced off after just 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Serbia, grimacing and holding the lower part of his right leg. The source notes he had begun the season with two goals and four assists in six appearances for Liverpool.
- Patrick Dorgu lasted 30 minutes before limping off in Denmark’s 2-0 win against Wales.
KEY CONTEXT
The first international break of the 2026-27 men’s season is longer than usual after the traditional October pause was removed. National teams now have a three-week window across late September and early October and will play four internationals instead of the usual two.
Other injuries reported during the same international window include:
- Alexander Isak withdrew from Sweden duty with a minor thigh injury; he will be assessed by his club’s medical staff.
- Kai Havertz was replaced after being caught on the knee by a high boot from Quinten Timber in the Netherlands v Germany match.
- Brian Brobbey appeared to suffer a muscle injury after coming off in the same game.
- Dan Ballard suffered a hamstring injury late in Northern Ireland’s win over Georgia and will miss his national side’s remaining fixtures in this break, according to boss Michael O’Neill.
- Kylian Mbappé was ruled out for at least two weeks after injuring his knee while scoring for France.
- Jamal Musiala suffered a muscle injury during the warm-up and withdrew from Germany’s match against the Netherlands.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Of the cases mentioned, Alexander Isak is scheduled for assessment by his club’s medical staff. No further timelines for returns or club confirmations for Fernandes, Gakpo, Dorgu or the other named players were provided in the source.