Centre-back Derek Cornelius has joined the growing list of injuries on the Canadian men’s national soccer team with the countdown to next summer’s FIFA World Cup heating up.
Danny Rohl, head coach of the Scottish Premiership‘s Rangers, told the media that Cornelius has a muscle injury and won’t return to action for the foreseeable future.
“Derek has to go to a specialist, again with a muscle injury. Could be a serious one, a big one,” said Rohl.
🔵 “It’s always an honour to play for your own country… as a club manager you always want to protect your players.”
Rangers head coach Danny Röhl says John Souttar, Mikey Moore and Derek Cornelius may be out for the rest of the year with injuries ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/3au8Ys7hF4
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 21, 2025
The 27-year-old Cornelius was in the lineup for Tuesday’s 2-0 friendly win over Venezuela, but was subbed off in the 33rd minute.
Canada is dealing with a handful of injuries to their backline, including national team captain Alphonso Davies, who returned to full training with Bayern Munich after tearing his ACL last March.
Moïse Bombito and Alistair Johnston are also sidelined and not expected to return until 2026.
Cornelius has scored one goal over 12 games for the Rangers this season and one goal for the national team in 11 games in 2025.
