Netherlands defender Timber to miss World Cup with groin injury
Netherlands: Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber ​will miss the 2026 ‌World ​Cup after failing to recover from a groin injury, the Dutch Football Association said on Monday.The Dutch FA said ⁠the 24-year-old has not made enough progress to compete in the tournament in a "medically ‌responsible" manner.His absence dealt a blow to the Netherlands ahead ‌of their Group F campaign ‌in North America, where they ‌face Japan, ‌Sweden and Tunisia.Timber had struggled with the ​injury during ‌the closing ​stages of Arsenal's ⁠Premier League title-winning season, though he played 54 minutes of ​their ⁠Champions ⁠League final defeat on penalties by Paris St Germain on ⁠May 30.He will be replaced in Ronald Koeman's squad by Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida.The setback disrupts Koeman's defensive plans just ‌days before the Netherlands open their campaign ​against Japan in Dallas on Sunday.