Matthijs de Ligt will not be headed to the FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands.
Manchester United announced on Friday that the centre-back had undergone back surgery and will return in time for the early stages of the 2026-2027 Premier League season.
The 26-year-old de Ligt has not appeared since the end of November.
“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,” de Ligt said in a statement. “I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”
A native of Leiderdorp, de Ligt is a product of the Ajax academy and made his senior debut in 2016. He would later go on to stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich before joining United in 2024. He’s made 42 league appearances across two seasons at Old Trafford.
Internationally, de Ligt has been capped 52 times by the Oranje since his senior debut in 2017. He has appeared at two Euros and the 2022 World Cup.
The Netherlands are set to compete in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. The Oranje’s first match is scheduled for June 14 against the Samurai Blue in Arlington, TX.
