Timber Injury Forces Netherlands Squad Change Ahead of 2026 World Cup

G. E (Elbotola)

09 June 2026at13:00

The Dutch Football Association has announced the exclusion of defender Jurrien Timber from the Oranje squad for the 2026 World Cup finals. The Arsenal player has been suffering from persistent muscle problems, which prevented him from completing training with the group at the training camp.

Following medical consultations by the Dutch national team's technical and medical staff, it was decided to call up Feyenoord player Lutsharel Geertruida as Timber's replacement in the final squad. Geertruida is expected to join his teammates in Kansas City to complete the preparatory program for the World Cup.

The Dutch national team is aiming for a strong start to their World Cup campaign next Sunday in Dallas, where they will face Japan. This fixture follows a morale-boosting 2-1 friendly victory over Uzbekistan in New York, a match in which Cody Gakpo scored both winning goals from two penalties before Guus Til was sent off.

Q&A

What happened to Jurrien Timber regarding the Netherlands squad?

Jurrien Timber has been excluded from the Netherlands' 2026 World Cup squad due to persistent muscle problems. Medical consultations confirmed his inability to complete training, leading to a crucial change for the Oranje ahead of their campaign.

How does Timber's injury impact the Netherlands' World Cup preparations?

Timber's injury forces a last-minute squad change, with a new defender called up to join the team in Kansas City. This adjustment comes as the Dutch prepare for their opening World Cup fixture, aiming for a strong start despite the disruption.

When will the Netherlands begin their 2026 World Cup campaign?

The Netherlands will kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign next Sunday in Dallas. They are set to face a challenging opponent in their opening fixture, following a recent friendly victory that boosted team morale.

Netherlands

FIFA World Cup

Jurriën Timber