Ivan Ilić

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Ivan Ilić's prospects for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are unfortunately nonexistent, as the Serbian national team has failed to qualify for the tournament. Serbia was eliminated from contention for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to England in November 2025, with Albania securing the final playoff spot in their group. This marks Serbia's third consecutive absence from the World Cup.

Even if Serbia had qualified, Ilić's participation would be severely jeopardized by a significant injury. He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a European qualifier against England in November 2025, an injury that typically requires a lengthy recovery period. This serious setback, combined with a history of various other injuries including knee, calf, muscle, hamstring, Achilles tendon, foot, thigh, and back issues, would make his readiness for a 2026 World Cup campaign highly uncertain. As of late December 2025, he was also ruled out of a Torino match due to back pain.

Analysis of his recent form and international role (pre-injury):

Prior to his recent ACL injury, Ilić, a 24-year-old defensive or central midfielder for Serie A club Torino, had been a regular for his club and the Serbian national team. In the 2025/2026 season, he had played 10 matches for Torino, accumulating 572 minutes on the field. Before a previous knee sprain, he had started three consecutive games for Torino, contributing defensively and creating chances. His last recorded match, Sassuolo - Torino (0-1), saw him earn a Sofascore rating of 7.

Ilić has been a consistent fixture in the Serbian national team since his debut in 2021, having earned 24 caps. He was part of Serbia's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and played in all three group stage matches at UEFA Euro 2024. His role within the national team is primarily as a midfielder.

In summary, due to Serbia's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Ilić's significant ACL injury, his prospects for the tournament are unfortunately nullified.