Santiago Sandoval ruled out of Mexico U-20 squad with fracture
The Guadalajara youth product will miss the remainder of the Concacaf U-20 Championship due to a hand injury.
Mexico U-20 international Santiago Sandoval has been forced to leave the national team camp during the 2026 Concacaf Championship. The midfielder sustained a significant injury during the team's recent match against Costa Rica, which has now ended his involvement in the tournament.
According to a statement from the youth national teams' sporting department, medical examinations confirmed a spiral fracture of the proximal phalanx in the fourth finger of his right hand. Specialists determined that the injury requires specialized surgery that cannot be performed while the player remains in the competition.
"Spiral fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fourth finger of the right hand, sustained after yesterday's match against Costa Rica. Following the diagnosis, it was determined that the best resolution is surgical treatment." Mexican Youth National Teams Directorate
Sandoval has already broken camp and is returning to Guadalajara. He will undergo the necessary surgical procedure under the supervision of his club's medical staff. The injury marks an abrupt end to the tournament for the Chivas youth product, who will now focus on his recovery process.