Real Madrid's preparations for their must-win Club World Cup Group H clash against Pachuca have been dealt a significant blow as star forward Kylian Mbappe is set to miss the match due to ongoing health concerns. The 25-year-old Frenchman, who had been hospitalised earlier this week in Miami with acute gastroenteritis, has not yet returned to full training and remains isolated from the rest of the squad.
The club confirmed on Saturday that Mbappe did not travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Real will face the Mexican side at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday. Instead, he stayed behind at the team hotel to continue his recovery. This marks the second consecutive group-stage match that Mbappe will miss, having already sat out the 1-1 draw against Al Hilal.
In that opening match, young forward Gonzalo GarcÃa gave Real the lead with a first-half goal, only for Al Hilal’s Rúben Neves to level the score from the penalty spot. The result left Madrid in a precarious position in the group, trailing RB Salzburg, who sit top after their 2-1 victory over Pachuca.
Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso provided a cautiously hopeful update, saying Mbappe was “getting better day by day” and that the staff are “increasingly optimistic” he could feature in the decisive group-stage finale against Salzburg.
Madrid, who failed to secure a major domestic trophy last season, are determined to redeem themselves at the Club World Cup. This summer has seen several big changes at the club, including Alonso taking over from Carlo Ancelotti and new signings such as defender Dean Huijsen, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Argentine teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono, who will officially join in August.
Despite rumours of further transfers, especially in midfield, Alonso brushed aside the speculation. "We are focused on the tournament. With the current squad and the variety of midfield profiles we have, I'm confident we can control the game in the middle of the pitch,” he said.
Real Madrid last faced Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup final in December, where they secured a comfortable 3-0 win. However, this upcoming fixture poses a different set of challenges, particularly the weather. With kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. local time and temperatures expected to reach 32°C (90°F), player fitness and endurance could play a critical role.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expressed concern about the timing of the match, calling it "not optimal" for player health. “It’s understandable they want to cater to the European audience, but playing in such heat at this time isn’t ideal. Evening matches would be better for everyone involved,” he said.
As Real Madrid prepares to take on Pachuca without their talisman, all eyes will be on how the revamped squad copes under pressure and extreme conditions. The match will likely be decisive in determining whether the Spanish giants continue their journey in the tournament or face an early exit.
