Timber Ruled Out Of 2026 World Cup, Netherlands Draft In Geertruida

The Netherlands have suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber was ruled out of the tournament due to a persistent groin injury.

Jurriën Timber, 24, had been included in Ronald Koeman’s original 26-man squad but has failed to recover in time to take part in the competition.

The Dutch Football Association confirmed on Monday that Timber would leave the national team’s pre-tournament camp following the friendly against Uzbekistan in New York.

“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,” the football association said in a statement.

“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.”

Timber has been battling the injury since March and missed a significant part of Arsenal’s run-in during the Premier League title race.

Although he managed to feature in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, medical assessments concluded that he would not be fit enough to cope with the demands of a World Cup campaign.

His absence leaves a sizeable gap in Koeman’s defensive plans.

Timber was one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season and had established himself as a key figure for both club and country.

To fill the vacancy, Koeman has called up Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who had originally been placed on the standby list.

The 21-cap international recently featured in the Netherlands’ friendly against Algeria despite not making the initial World Cup squad.

Geertruida now joins the Dutch camp in Kansas, restoring the squad to their full complement of 26 players. Aston Villa full-back Ian Maatsen remains on standby.

The Dutch head into the World Cup facing a demanding group-stage challenge against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.