Netherlands will head to the 2026 World Cup without Jurrien Timber after a groin injury, with Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida called into the squad as replacement for the Arsenal player.

The injury dates back to March 14, when Timber suffered the problem during Arsenal’s win over Everton, then only returned on May 30 in the Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain, coming on after the hour for Mikel Arteta’s team.

Netherlands released a statement which read: Jurrien Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. 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 teams pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan.

The Dutch federation repeated that assessment in a social media post, stating: “Jurrin Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. 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”