Arsenal and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber admitted that it’ll be hard to watch the World Cup from home after failing to recover in time from an injury.
Jurrien Timber24, was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands‘ World Cup squad ahead of the team’s final pre-tournament friendly against Uzbekistan on June 8th. The Arsenal defender had not recovered from a groin injury in time and was replaced by Sunderland‘s Lotharel Geertruida.
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Timber flew from New York, where the Netherlands faced Uzbekistan, to Miami to enjoy a holiday before returning to London next week, where he will undergo further scans and begin his rehabilitation.
In an interview with Dutch newspaper The TelegraphTimber spoke about the disappointment of missing the World Cup.
“Of course, I’ve already played in a European Championship and a World Cup, but I never expected to miss the Euros and a World Cup due to injury. That’s just bad luck,” said Timber, who also missed the 2024 Euros with a torn ACL.
“There’s not much you can do about an ACL injury, but it’s still a nuisance. Unfortunately, it’s part and parcel of football. It’s a risk you take when you play at the highest level. It’s a huge disappointment, because missing a European Championship or World Cup is just a massive blow. Tournaments like that don’t come around very often.”
Timber believes he’ll only come back stronger from this injury, which has kept him off the pitch for most of 2026. “In my mind, I’m already thinking about what’s to come. That’s why I’m taking a break right now. I think it’s good to step back for a while, rest and not have to do anything.
“But at the same time, I’m already looking forward to showing how good I am and taking the next step. To grow as a person, but also as a player. I’m actually really looking forward to that already. I just want to get well again as soon as possible, feel good and start playing football again.”
Twin brother going for gold
Timber, a 23-time Netherlands international, will be forced to watch the tournament from home. Watching the Netherlands’ games will have an extra dimension for Timber, whose twin brother, Olympic Marseille midfielder Quinten Timberis part of the Dutch 26-man squad.
“Watching the first game will be the hardest, but I’ll try to enjoy seeing my little brother there. I know how special it is to be there. I know the lads will do well. I’m really looking forward to watching the matches.”
Watching Quinten win the World Cup with Orange would mean even more to Jurrien, he acknowledged: “I’d rather he win it than I would win it myself. But I’m rooting for the whole team to win the world title. They’re my friends. I know those lads inside out.”
