Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber withdraws from Netherlands squad, will miss 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury

Timber last appeared for Arsenal as a substitute in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the UEFA Champions League and has been replaced in the squad by Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida.

The Netherlands national team released a statement confirming the news.

"Jurrien Timber misses the 2026 World Cup," the statement began.

"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 endured an injury-plagued conclusion to the 2025/26 season. He suffered an ankle knock in March that ruled him out of Arsenal’s final seven Premier League games.

The defender also played no part in the Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final and semi-final ties.

He did, however, return in time to feature in the final in Budapest as The Gunners looked to do the double.

But it was not to be, as PSG recovered from going 1-0 down in the sixth minute to successfully defend their European crown in a penalty shoot-out.

The Netherlands face Uzbekistan on Monday in their final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup.

They then take on Japan in their Group F opener on June 14 before playing Sweden on June 20 and Tunisia on June 26.

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