Injuries to some of soccer’s star players are mounting ahead of next month’s World Cup, with Lionel Messi joining a list of concerns that already included Lamine Yamal. Messi left the field after reaching toward his left hamstring in a game for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer on Sunday. Yamal, Spain’s new superstar, missed the final weeks of the season for Barcelona because of a muscle injury in his left leg, but should be healed in time to play at the World Cup. Others have not been so fortunate. Players and coaches have increasingly warned about the impact of an ever-packed schedule, and the expanded World Cup comes a year after the relaunched, supersized Club World Cup. The Champions League has also been expanded in recent years. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta describes the demand on players as “an accident waiting to happen.” With the World Cup just around the corner, players are walking a tightrope to avoid injury before the tournament kicks off. Argentina’s next game is in Texas on June 6 against Honduras at Texas AM’s Kyle Field to prepare for the World Cup. Their tournament games start on June 16 in Kansas City against Algeria before playing Austria and Jordan at ATT Stadium in Arlington, which will be called Dallas Stadium to comply with FIFA rules. Argentina supporters are already making their way to the Midwest for the tournament. Spain starts the tournament on June 15 in Atlanta against Cape Verde before taking on Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H play. Players definitely ruled out of the World Cup Argentina: Joaquín Panichelli (ACL) England: Ben White (medial ligament) Netherlands: Xavi Simons (ACL) United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles) Ones to watch Argentina: Cristian Romero has a knee injury. It has not yet been confirmed if he is out of the World Cup, with Tottenham not giving a timeframe for his recovery. Croatia: Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić broke his cheekbone last month but was back playing for AC Milan well in time for the World Cup. Defender Joško Gvardiol returned to training for Manchester City in early May after four months out with a broken leg. United States: Midfielder Johnny Cardoso sprained his right ankle five weeks before the World Cup while training with Atletico Madrid. Center back Chris Richards tore ligaments in his ankle playing for Crystal Palace. The US Men’s National Team kicks off the tournament June 12. Croatia and England play at ATT Stadium on June 17. ...read more read less