Image Credits: Imago Images
Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup after failing to recover from a groin injury, the Dutch FA confirmed on Monday.
Timber, who suffered the injury in March, has missed a significant portion of the season. Although he featured in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, he has not recovered in time for the tournament.
He has been replaced in the Netherlands squad by Lutsharel Geertruida, who had been on the standby list of manager Ronald Koeman.
Geertruida, a 21-cap international, also featured in a recent friendly against Algeria despite initially not being named in the final 26-man squad.
A statement read: “Jurriën Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. 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, Jurriën.
“Ronald Koeman has called up Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland) as Timber’s replacement. This brings the Netherlands squad at the base camp in Kansas back to 26 players.”
Lutsharel Geertruida joined Sunderland on loan from RB Leipzig at the start of the 2025–26 season, though the club have not yet confirmed whether the move will be made permanent.
Liverpool had missed out on signing Geertruida before the January transfer deadline, despite an attempt to strengthen their defence amid injuries to key players including Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool’s move for the versatile defender ultimately collapsed due to timing and complexity, forcing the club to abandon the deal and move on.
“I think I’ve said that we’ve tried to strengthen the squad, so that probably tells you [I wanted players] and I don’t think I was the only one who wanted that,” former Liverpool coach Arne Slot said. “But it’s always about availability and the right player.
“The player you mentioned (Geertruida), in the end, wasn’t available. But we’ve tried to strengthen the squad – that is clear.
“And that tells you that we think that it would have helped us. But it should be possible that we’re not gonna sign players that are not good enough to play for this club.” It is currently unknown whether Liverpoolwill revive their interest in Lutsharel Geertruida this summer.
Ronald Koeman has called up Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland) as Timber’s replacement. This brings the Netherlands squad at the base camp in Kansas back to 26 players.
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 8, 2026