The 2026 World Cup in North America is now in serious jeopardy for Nico Williams, following a devastating new injury that has left the Spanish winger in uncharted pain. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente is set to name his 26-man squad in the coming weeks, and while Williams’ recent return from a long-standing pubalgia issue had fans hopeful, this latest setback could shatter those dreams.

During the first half of Athletic Club’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday, Williams went down with what appeared to be a muscle injury and was unable to continue. According to Diario AS, the early prognosis suggests he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, dealing a crushing blow to both club and country ambitions.

This season has been a nightmare for the 22-year-old star. After battling pubalgia since September, he only recently seemed to be rediscovering his electrifying form. That makes this fresh injury all the more heartbreaking—and painful. Speaking to DAZN after the match, his older brother and teammate Iñaki Williams revealed the emotional toll.

“The injury is a bit of a question mark right now. He was sweet, returning to his level. Now, fingers crossed he comes back as soon as possible,” Iñaki said. “The messed up thing is that he leaves us without him these days—he is also close to the World Cup, but the hard thing is that we cannot count on him in the last games. I have just spoken with him. It is not the time to overwhelm him, and he will have many things on his mind. He was quite sad, he said that he has never felt pain like this.”

For a player known for his blistering pace and fearless dribbling, such a raw admission underscores the severity of the situation. Williams will undergo medical tests in the coming days, offering a clearer timeline. For now, everyone at Athletic Club and the Spanish national team can only hope for a miracle—and a chance to see him shine on the world’s biggest stage.