Why will Man United's Matthijs de Ligt miss World Cup 2026 for Netherlands?
(Courtesy : Getty)
The centre-back was last seen in action in November 2025.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup is all set to be in action from June 11. Canada, Mexico and the United States of America are the three host nations, where 104 fixtures will take place. A total of 48 teams are going to battle hard for the mega prize.
The Netherlands national football team are placed in Group F. They will face Japan, Tunisia and Sweden in their group stage games of FIFA’s flagship competition. In the 2022 edition, they reached the semifinals and then fell prey to Leo Messi’s Argentina.
They surely have capable players in the squad, but their strategies will determine their path. The Oranje are most likely to get through the group stage and it will be interesting to see their journey in the knockout stages.
Ronald Koeman is yet to announce the Netherlands’ squad for the upcoming edition of the competition. The most deserving names will get to represent their nation on the world stage.
Why will Matthijs de Ligt miss 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Manchester United have now shared the injury update for the 26-year-old centre-back. He has undergone successful surgery to address a back injury.
Matthijs de Ligt is now expected to be back at the beginning of the 2026-27 season. This thus suggests that he is not going to represent the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible,” mentioned de Ligt.
He further stated, “Since November, I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”
The 26-year-old was last seen in action during the Premier League contest between Man Utd and Crysta Palace on November 30 2025.
Will Matthijs de Ligt play in FIFA World Cup 2026?
He is currently recovering from a back injury and is going to miss the mega competition.
Who will Netherlands face in group stage of FIFA World Cup 2026?
They are placed in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
Have Netherlands ever won FIFA World Cup?
No, they are yet to lift FIFA’s flagship trophy.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.