New Zealand defender Nando Pijnaker is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup following a dislocated shoulder injury sustained over the weekend. The Auckland FC player's World Cup participation is now uncertain.
Pijnaker, a key center-back prospect for coach Darren Bazeley's squad, will seek specialist opinion. Dislocated shoulders can require significant recovery time, potentially impacting his availability for the tournament's June 11 to July 19 finals.
This injury adds to a growing list of defensive concerns for New Zealand, with several other key players also sidelined. Meanwhile, captain Chris Wood has returned to play after recovering from knee surgery, offering a positive note ahead of their group stage matches against Iran, Egypt, and Belgium.