USMNT midfielder James Sands will miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season after undergoing ankle surgery in Munich. The 25-year-old St. Pauli player suffered the injury during a foul in Sunday's match against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the full extent revealed only after subsequent scans.

The injury casts serious doubt on Sands' availability for the 2026 World Cup, where the United States is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. Sands has made 14 appearances for the national team since 2021, with his most recent showing coming as a starter in October's friendly victory over Australia.

St. Pauli has not provided a timeline for Sands' return, leaving USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino without clarity on his midfield options. The Americans open their World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay, giving Sands limited time to recover if he hopes to feature in the tournament.