Matthijs de Ligt will not play for the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending months of uncertainty surrounding one of the country's most experienced defenders. The Manchester United centre-back has undergone surgery to address a lingering back problem, keeping him sidelined into the early stages of next season. The timing leaves head coach Ronald Koeman without a player who had quietly worked his way back into the national team picture before injuries halted his progress.
Club and Country Face Difficult Moment
The news arrives at a challenging period for both Manchester United and the Netherlands. United had provided optimistic updates throughout De Ligt's rehabilitation, while interim boss Michael Carrick repeatedly avoided discussing surgery as a likely option. However, behind the scenes, recovery never truly progressed. A recent attempt to resume running sessions at Carrington reportedly failed to produce the desired response from doctors, making surgery unavoidable.
De Ligt's World Cup Absence Confirmed
Manchester United confirmed on Friday that the defender underwent successful back surgery after months of rehabilitation efforts failed to resolve the issue. The club stated: 'Matthijs de Ligt has undergone successful surgery to address a back injury. Having diligently worked throughout his rehabilitation process, the decision was made that a corrective procedure was the best course of action.' The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14, but United do not expect De Ligt to return until the 'early stages of the 2026-27 season,' effectively ruling him out of the tournament and most of the club's pre-season preparations.
A Frustrating Chapter Ends
For De Ligt, this setback concludes a frustrating period that began shortly after United's win over Crystal Palace on November 30, his last match appearance. Before the injury, he had played every minute of the club's opening 13 Premier League fixtures and looked settled in England following his move from FC Bayern Munich. De Ligt addressed the situation himself, expressing both disappointment and determination: '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. After 6 months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left.'
Netherlands Face Defensive Setback
His absence creates another problem for Ronald Koeman, who had already lost Xavi Simons to injury ahead of the tournament. While De Ligt had not always been a guaranteed starter in recent years, his form at Manchester United restored his standing within the national setup. He even started the Netherlands' 4-0 win over Lithuania late last year before his season unraveled. De Ligt admitted: 'I'm disappointed I couldn't help the team the last 6 months and obviously missing out on the World Cup.' This is a massive blow for the nation as they prepare for the competition.
