Matthijs de Ligt laments missing 2026 World Cup after back surgery

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has expressed his disappointment after being ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury.

The Dutch international will miss this year’s tournament after undergoing surgery to correct a back injury that kept him sidelined for several months during the 2025/26 season with Manchester United.

De Ligt joins a growing list of high-profile players set to miss the World Cup due to injury, including Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Rodrygo Goes.

Following his surgery, the former AFC Ajax defender took to social media to share his frustration, stating that,

“After six months of treatment and working hard to get back, surgery was the only option left. I’m disappointed I couldn’t help the team the last six months and obviously missing out on the World Cup, but I am looking forward to doing everything to get back in front of the fans and feeling better again.”

Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

“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.”