Arsenal's player misses 2026 World Cup due to injury, Netherlands urgently calls replacement

The Dutch squad faces a significant blow on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, with defender Jurrien Timber forced to pull out of the competition because of a lingering groin issue.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed that the 24-year-old center-back will miss the world's biggest football event, following medical advice.

According to a KNVB statement, Timber has not yet reached the optimal physical condition to safely compete at high intensity. After consulting with doctors, the coaching staff decided to let the Arsenal player leave the national team's training camp in New York immediately after the friendly match against Uzbekistan.

Timber's injury first emerged in mid-March, when he was forced off early during Arsenal's Premier League match against Everton. The groin problem sidelined him for most of the final stretch of the season. He only returned to action on May 30 in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, playing over 50 minutes.

Although that comeback allowed head coach Ronald Koeman to include him in the provisional "Oranje" squad, missing the friendly against Algeria and failing to obtain medical clearance before the Uzbekistan clash meant Timber could not continue with the team for the 2026 World Cup.

The absence of the 23-cap Netherlands international is considered a significant loss for coach Koeman, as Timber is capable of playing effectively both as a center-back and a right-back. This marks the second consecutive World Cup for which he has been called up, but unfortunately he is again unable to participate due to injury.

To replace Timber, the Dutch tactician has called up Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida. Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries is likely to remain the first-choice right wing-back as the Netherlands begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with an opening match against Japan on June 14.

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