Chris Richards tears ankle ligaments, fit for World Cup
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- Chris Richards suffered two torn ankle ligaments in a match against Brentford on Sunday.
- Oliver Glasner said Richards will miss Palace's final Premier League game versus Arsenal and is a major doubt for the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
- ESPN source reported Richards is expected to be match‑fit within a week and likely to play in the 2026 World Cup beginning June 12.
- U.S. men’s national team will open the World Cup at home against Paraguay on June 12 after warm‑up games versus Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6).
Why it matters: U.S. coach Pochettino retains a key defender for the home World Cup, while Palace loses a starter for crucial finals, potentially affecting their chances for a trophy and the U.S.'s defensive stability.
