Arsenal star’s injury ends World Cup and doctor sacked | OneFootball

Just days before the World Cup is due to get under way, Jurrien Timber has been withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to the groin injury that disrupted the latter stages of his season.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

KNVB said in a statement on Monday, “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.”

Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida has been called up to replace him.

He picked up what proved to be a troublesome groin injury against Everton in mid-March and questions will certainly be asked about how he was cleared to feature in the Champions League final against PSG. Timber played 54 minutes, including extra time.

Not long after Timber’s withdrawal was reported, Sam Wallace published an exclusive in The Telegraph that “Arsenal abruptly sacked their head doctor Zafar Iqbal just days after their Champions League final defeat” with “immediate effect”. He says Iqbal, and other medical staff, found the news a “huge surprise”.

There seems to be no indication yet why the 51-year-old was sacked. The Telegraph also reported that Arsenal had tasked physiotherapist, and friend of Mikel Arteta, Joaquín Acedo to conduct a review due to the number of injuries they have suffered over the past few seasons. It is not clear yet if any of these things are connected or if something else has happened.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The Timber news is no doubt gutting for the defender who has, when fit, shown himself to be one of the best full-backs on the planet.

In total, Timber has missed 78 games for Arsenal and the Netherlands since he signed for the Gunners from Ajax in 2023. 53 of those were due to the ACL injury picked up in the first game of his first season at the club.

Under contract until 2028, Arsenal are said to be close to extending his current deal.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League