USA's Defender Chris Richards Injury Update and Timeline

Charlie Zschau Updated: May 21 2026 16:32

Chris Richards suffered an ankle injury last weekend for Crystal Palace in a Premier League match.

Richards, 26, limped off the pitch with a hurt ankle in Palace's 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday after coming into the game as a second half substitute.

Richards is a key part of Crystal Palace and the United States Men's National Team, but the injury could keep him on the sidelines while Palace is fighting for their first ever European trophy, and the USMNT prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

Richards has played 33 matches in the Premier League this season, and would be a sure starter in Oliver Glasner's UEFA Conference League Final against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27 if fit enough.

Chris Richards Injury Update

The American International was officially ruled out by Glasner ahead of Palace's final Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday, and the manager confirmed that his defender is 50/50 for the Conference League Final.

Richards missing the match against Arsenal is no big deal, since Arsenal have already clinched the Premier League title and Crystal Palace are unable to finish in a European spot.

“Chris Richards will miss the Arsenal game and it's now 50/50 for us whether he can play in the final in Leipzig. He tore two ligaments in his ankle. It's stable but quite swollen,” Glasner said in his press conference on Thursday.

Richards is a huge piece of the London side's defense, and the team is hopeful that he will be fit for the European final in Leipzig, Germany but fans in the U.S. will care more about Richards being ready for the World Cup next month.

Will Chris Richards be fit for the World Cup?

The USMNT begins it's 2026 World Cup training camp in late May but Richards will not be present, fit or not, due to his clubs European final.

Richards is a lock for Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster this summer, with the U.S. co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. The injury is not good news for Pochettino who has already watched Johnny Cardoso and Patrick Agyemang suffer serious injuries in the build-up to the tournament.

With the World Cup only a month away, Pochettino will surely be monitoring Richards situation. The center back is expected to be back fit in time for the start of the tournament barring any setbacks, and will likely line up alongside veteran Tim Ream, or Toulouse defender Mark McKenzie.

Pochettino will officially announce the USMNT roster on Tuesday, May 26 in New York City - One day before Crystal Palace's Conference League Final against Rayo Vallecano.