U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma will be out for "a few weeks" with a calf injury, which could see her miss out on World Cup qualifying.
Girma has made just two appearances for Chelsea this season. The center back was forced to miss the USWNT's recent friendlies against Spain after suffering an injury in training with Chelsea in late September.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor delivered an update on the 26-year-old, who doesn't appear to be returning to the pitch in the near future.
"I didn't have much information on Naomi before," Bompastor said. "I gave the earlier information before the international break, but actually Naomi is now dealing with a calf injury."I think it will take a few weeks for her to get
back, so for now she's just rehabbing. She's in a good place rehabbing and doing the things she has to do and to focus on.
"We'll see, but I don't have any timeframe for now."
Girma now looks to be in a race against time to prove her fitness for the Concacaf W Championship next month.
The USWNT faces El Salvador in a quarterfinal on Nov. 27, a game that would see it qualify for the 2027 World Cup with a win. The loser will still have a path to qualify through a playoff.
Girma is normally a vital player for both club and country, wearing the captain's armband for the USWNT in two of her four appearances in 2026.
Overall, Girma has earned 54 caps with the USWNT, playing every minute at the 2023 World Cup and during the team's run to the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.
But her time at Chelsea has been blighted by injuries since she joined from the San Diego Wave in January 2025. Many of those injuries have involved her calf.
Earlier this month, USWNT coach (and former Chelsea coach) Emma Hayes said that she and her staff are working on a new plan with Chelsea.
"This has happened too often and if we want her to be in a position to play games on a regular basis for club and country, I think we have to change some things," Hayes said.
She added: "We are working closely with Chelsea to think differently about creating the right solutions because the player suffers. And I know she's absolutely devastated."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT defender Naomi Girma in doubt for World Cup qualifying as injury woes continue
