The U.S. men’s national team has built its full-back depth considerably under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

For years, the duo of Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest have been locked-in starters on opposite touchlines, but injuries to both individuals over the past 18 months have forced Pochettino to look elsewhere for consistency.

Both individuals appeared to be back to full fitness as the USMNT began to turn its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, but that has now been called into question again.

The Sporting News brings you all the latest on the latest injury picked up by Dest just four months before the start of the global soccer title tournament beginning in June.

MORE: Complete schedule, fixtures, times for all games at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sergino Dest injury update

PSV full-back Sergino Dest pulled up with an injured left hamstring during the club’s 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar on March 7.

Dest was withdrawn in the 57th minute, requiring assistance from medical staff to exit the pitch. The manner of his departure immediately stoked fears that he had suffered a serious injury that could potentially jeopardize not only the remainder of his 2025/26 season with PSV, but also the coming FIFA World Cup.

Two days later, PSV released a medical update on Dest’s status, but it did not give much tangible detail.

“PSV will be without Sergino Dest for the coming period, medical examinations confirmed on Sunday,” the update said.

A report from Tim Reedijk of Dutch publication Voetbal International stated that “medical examinations have shown no serious injury whatsoever.”

MORE: Full USMNT fixture schedule for 2026 calendar year

Will Sergino Dest be fit for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?

Sergino Dest’s availability at this summer’s FIFA World Cup depends on how serious the injury to his hamstring is.

However, there is clearly hope that Dest will pass fit not only to play at the tournament on home soil this summer, but even return for PSV before the end of the season.

In the aftermath of the injury, Dest posted on Instagram that “this is NOT the end of the season”, meaning he is hoping to make it back on the pitch for his club before their campaign concludes in May.

The next day, PSV’s medical update had a statement from Dest that, while not forcefully confident, still echoed that sentiment.

“I will do everything within my power to be fully fit again towards the end of the season, and I’m confident that will happen,” the club quoted Dest as saying. “Thank you for the many heartwarming messages. That support only gives me extra motivation to work hard on my recovery.”

PSV’s message concluded by saying, “It is still difficult to predict exactly how long Dest will be sidelined. The 37-time US international is aiming for a return towards the final phase of the season, with the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico as an important target.”

It’s like that Dest has picked up a Grade 2 hamstring injury, which typically requires a 4-6 week recovery period, potentially returning sometime in mid-April. If he had a Grade 3 tear, he would require surgery followed by typically around three months on the shelf.

With PSV eliminated from European competition, they have eight matches remaining on their Eredivisie schedule, leading the Dutch top flight by a whopping 19 points at the time of his injury. If the prior assumption of a Grade 2 injury is accurate, he could return for a home game against PEC Zwolle on April 23, or a match against his former club Ajax on May 2.

Sergino Dest injury history

The 25-year-old has had a difficult battle with fitness over the course of his career.

Below are all the long-term injuries that has kept Dest out at least five matches for club and country, as listed by Transfermarkt.