Jurrien Timber has spoken of his heartbreak after being ruled out of the World Cup with a groin injury, admitting it is “difficult to accept” that his lifelong dream has been taken away. The 24-year-old Arsenal defender was expected to represent the Netherlands at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed on Monday that he has “not recovered sufficiently” to take part in a “medically responsible manner”.
Timber had been sidelined since 14 March, when he was substituted during the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton. He returned to training in the final week of the Premier League season and featured for more than 50 minutes in the Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain on 30 May, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had declared him “fit” to play. But the groin problem proved too persistent, and after consultation with medical staff, it was decided Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York following their friendly against Uzbekistan.
“Arsenal's Jurrien Timber ruled out of World Cup with groin injury, replaced by Geertruida.”
In a post on Instagram, the 23-cap international wrote: “Heartbroken to miss the World Cup. Representing my country on the biggest stage is something I’ve always dreamed of, and it’s difficult to accept that injury has taken that opportunity away from me. While this isn’t the path I had hoped for, I trust that God has a plan greater than the one I can see right now. Wishing the boys all the best. Make the nation proud!”
Timber’s twin brother, Marseille’s Quinten Timber, remains in the squad and will now fly the family flag alone. The Arsenal defender had been part of the pre-competition photoshoot but will depart after the Uzbekistan game. He also missed the Netherlands’ penultimate warm-up friendly against Algeria, a 1-0 defeat, six days ago.
Oranje boss Ronald Koeman has called up Lutsharel Geertruida as his replacement. The 25-year-old, on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, will join a squad that opens their Group F campaign against Japan on 14 June, followed by matches with Sweden and Tunisia.
While Timber’s World Cup dream is over, Brazil’s Neymar has been given a boost after scans showed “good progress” in his recovery from a calf injury. The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, suffered a grade-two muscle tear last month and was expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks. A further scan on Monday revealed improvement “within expected parameters”, the Brazilian Football Confederation said. Neymar has missed Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies and faces a race to be fit for their opening group game against Morocco on 13 June. The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain playmaker, who returned to Santos in early 2025, has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, including a ruptured ACL and meniscus in his left knee in October 2023. He has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances and is hoping to feature in his fourth World Cup.