Jurrien Timber misses out on World Cup squad as Arsenal star replaced by Premier League loanee
The Netherlands have confirmed Jurrien Timber will play no part in their World Cup campaign.
The Arsenal defender missed the end of the season with a groin injury but was initially selected in the Dutch squad, however, the decision has now been taken for him not to join them at the tournament.
“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,” a team statement read.
“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.”
Who will replace Timber in the Netherlands World Cup squad?
Lutsharel Geertruida, who spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Sunderland, has since been drafted into the Dutch squad as Timber’s replacement.
Timber’s withdrawal comes just weeks after he featured in Arsenal’s heartbreaking Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old came on in the 65th minute and slotted in at right-back, where he replaced Cristhian Mosquera.
Despite his role as a substitute, Timber ended up playing 54 minutes against PSG as the contest went all the way to a penalty shootout.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, it ended in tears as Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their efforts from the spot to hand PSG back-to-back Champions League crowns.
How did Timber pick up his injury?
The Champions League final marked Timber’s first appearance for Arsenal since March 14, where he was taken off in the opening half of the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Everton.
Despite his lack of playing time leading into the World Cup, Timber earned a spot in Ronald Koeman’s 26-man squad for the tournament.
The Arsenal star was not the only Timber to be named, with his twin brother, Quinten, also included.
Netherlands' updated 26-man World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs, Bart Verbruggen
Defenders: Lutsharel Geertruida, Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries, Jorrel Hato, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners, Tijjani Reijnders, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Mats Wieffer
Forwards: Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
Upon confirmation they had both made Koeman’s team, the brothers shared a heart-warming Instagram post with the caption: “We once prayed for moments like this. Now we’re living them together. Thank you Jesus.”
The Gunners ace was poised to appear at his second World Cup having featured in the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Timber featured four times for the Oranje in Qatar, including two group games as well as knockout matches against the USA and Argentina.
He played the entire contest at centre-back in all of those fixtures.
Luckily for the Dutch, Geertruida’s versatility is of a similar profile to Timber given he is comfortable at centre-back and right-back.
The 25-year-old made 30 appearances for Sunderland in the 2025/26 season, 20 of which were starts.
However, multiple reports have stated the Black Cats will opt against making Geertruida’s move permanent given he was on loan from RB Leipzig.
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