Timber ruled out of World Cup as groin injury ends Netherlands hopes

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after the Dutch Football Association confirmed he has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to participate safely in the tournament. The 24-year-old will depart the Netherlands’ pre-tournament camp in New York following Monday night’s friendly against Uzbekistan.

Timber first sustained the groin problem during Arsenal’s home Premier League win against Everton in March — a spell in which he missed the Gunners’ title run-in as they clinched their first league championship in 22 years. He had only recently returned to action, coming off the bench in the 66th minute of Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

A statement from the KNVB read: “The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner. In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan. We’re with you, Jurrien.”

Timber joined Arsenal from Ajax for £34m in the summer of 2023 and has established himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s defence across both full-back and centre-back roles.

Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who had been on manager Ronald Koeman’s stand-by list, will replace Timber in the squad. The Netherlands squad will travel to their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri, after the New York friendly.

The Dutch open their Group campaign against Japan on 14 June and also face Sweden and Tunisia.