Ghana midfielder Abu Francis has successfully undergone surgery in Japan after suffering fractures to two bones during the Black Stars’ 2-0 defeat to Japan in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup.
The injury occurred when Francis attempted to block a shot from Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka, leaving him stretchered off the pitch.
Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC confirmed that the midfielder will be sidelined for several months, likely ruling him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
“After sustaining a terrible injury against the Japanese, our midfielder will be sidelined for several months and will, unfortunately, likely miss the 2026 World Cup in the United States…,” the club said in a statement.
The surgery was carried out at Toyota Memorial Hospital with the collaboration of Dr. Prince Pambo, head of medical for the Black Stars, the Toulouse FC medical staff, and Japanese surgeons.
Francis has now entered the acute phase of his rehabilitation, with a physiotherapist from the Black Stars assigned to stay with him in Japan to oversee intensive recovery sessions.
Plans are in place for a senior member of the Black Stars’ technical team to accompany him back to France once he is discharged, ensuring continuity in his treatment at Toulouse.
The 24-year-old had only recently returned to the national team setup after missing the last two call-ups.
