Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt will miss the 2026 World Cup after undergoing surgery on a long-term back injury.
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt will miss the 2026 World Cup after undergoing surgery for a persistent back issue.
The 26-year-old Dutch international hasn’t played since the 30 November victory over Crystal Palace.
Former manager Ruben Amorim initially called the problem minor, expecting a quick return, but De Ligt never featured again despite positive updates from current boss Michael Carrick.
A club statement confirmed the defender has successfully undergone surgery for his back injury.
Medical staff concluded surgery was the best solution after following his rehabilitation plan.
The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on 14 June, and Manchester United expect De Ligt back no earlier than the start of the 2026-27 season.
Though his recovery timeline doesn’t include pre-season preparations, there’s a chance he could join the squad on their tour to continue rehabilitation.
Since November, De Ligt has pushed himself in every session while exploring every possible route to return to action.
De Ligt expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him during this difficult time in his career.
He emphasized his commitment to representing Manchester United and playing for the club’s fans as soon as possible.
In a personal statement, he said he’s done everything to get back to doing what he loves—playing football.
The club continues to monitor De Ligt’s progress closely as he works toward recovery.