Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Patrick Agyemang has scored 10 goals for Derby County this season
ByAndrew AloiaBBC Sport, East Midlands- Published7 April 2026, 11:49 BST
Patrick Agyemang has been ruled out of playing in a home World Cup for the United States after suffering a "serious" Achilles tendon injury in Derby County's win against Stoke City on Monday.
The striker immediately clutched his left ankle when he landed awkwardly after bringing the ball down on his chest in the first half.
He was visibly distressed when he left the Pride Park pitch on a stretcher and was taken from the stadium to undergo scans.
Derby said it "would be wrong to put a timeline" on Agyemang's recovery, but confirmed he will miss this summer's World Cup which the USA will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
"Everyone at Derby County is fully behind Patrick at this difficult time and will continue to support him every step of the way," the Rams said in a statement.
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The injury comes just days after he featured off the bench in the USA's two most recent international matches in Atlanta, scoring in their 5-2 defeat by Belgium before going on to play the second half in the 2-0 loss against Portugal.
Agyemang, 25, is in his first season with Derby in the Championship after moving to the English game from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Charlotte FC.
It was the latest career leap made by the Connecticut-born forward who went from being picked up in the MLS draft from University of Rhode Island in 2023 to playing for the US national team within two years.
Agyemang scored on his international debut for Mauricio Pochettino's team in January 2025 and has netted a further five goals in 13 appearances since.
His move to England earned Charlotte a club-record "multi-million dollar" fee, which is understood to be a sum that could rise to as much as £7.3m with add-ons.
In the weeks before joining Derby, he scored twice for the US in the Gold Cup to help them to the final, where they were eventually beaten by Mexico.
In his eight months with Derby he has played a crucial role in helping establish the East Midlands club as promotion contenders, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 37 games.
