CM-2026 without De Ligt: Dutch national team defender has undergone surgery on his back

Today, the Dutch national team has suffered a major blow. Mattes de Ligt will definitely miss the World Cup in North America in 2026. The key central defender for the national team and Manchester United has successfully undergone a planned surgical procedure on his spine. The surgery was necessary to treat a chronic back injury that had worsened during the last season of his career. This injury has been hindering him from playing at his usual level.

The medical staff of the Dutch Football Federation, along with the club doctors, decided not to rush the player back into the field of play. It is expected that it will take six to eight months for him to fully recover. This means that De Ligt will be unable to participate in any qualifying matches or the final stages of the tournament. For coach Ronald Koeman, this is a necessary adjustment to the team’s defense strategy. Now, Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, and Jermaine Flemming will take center stage, along with promising young defenders from top European leagues.

The club and the national federation issued a joint statement, confirming the successful surgery and expressing their full support for the player. De Ligt has already started the first phase of his recovery under the guidance of specialized rehabilitation specialists. Fans are showing their support for the talented defender, believing that he will be able to return to full fitness by the start of the next season.

De Ligt will miss the World Cup in 2026. Today, the defender has undergone surgery on his back. – OFFICIAL