Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to recover sufficiently from a groin injury that has troubled him since mid-March.

The 24-year-old managed to complete 55 minutes for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain little over a week ago, but Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman and the medical staff concluded he was not fit enough to handle the demands of a World Cup tournament.

The Netherlands announced the decision on Monday, just as the squad was gearing up for a warm-up match against Uzbekistan in New York. In a statement released via AP, the Dutch football association confirmed: "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."

Geertruida called up as replacement

Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who had been named on Koeman's stand-by list, will step in to fill Timber's place in the squad.

After the Uzbekistan friendly, the Netherlands will depart for their base camp in Kansas City, Missouri. Their World Cup campaign opens on June 14 against Japan in Dallas, before further group-stage fixtures against Sweden on June 20 in Houston and Tunisia on June 25 in Kansas City.

The absence of Timber is a significant blow to Dutch hopes, with the Arsenal full-back having established himself as one of the standout defenders in European football this season.