Matthijs de Ligt will miss the 2026 World Cup after undergoing surgery on a long-standing back problem, a blow for the Netherlands and Manchester United alike. The 26-year-old has not played since United’s victory at Crystal Palace on 30 November, and his return now stretches beyond the summer.
Manchester United said De Ligt has undergone successful surgery to address a back injury. The club added that, after diligent work throughout his rehabilitation, a corrective procedure was judged to be the best course of action. United do not expect him back until the early stages of the 2026-27 season.
The timing is cruel for the Netherlands, who begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on 14 June. De Ligt’s absence means he will be unavailable for a tournament that had already become a target in the months since his injury first stalled his season.
There had been hope inside United, at least publicly, that surgery could be avoided. Ruben Amorim said after the Crystal Palace match that the problem was minor and expected De Ligt back for the home game with West Ham four days later. Michael Carrick repeatedly said United were not thinking about an operation. But De Ligt’s most recent attempt at running on Carrington’s training pitches last month did not produce the response he needed, and the plan changed.
De Ligt said he had spent the months since November pushing himself in every session and exploring every option to get back to doing what he loves. He added that he was grateful to everyone who supported him through a difficult period in his career, and said he remained as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of their supporters as soon as possible.
For United, the surgery ends a waiting game that had increasingly pointed in one direction. For De Ligt, it delays both an international summer and the chance to reset his club season until well into the next campaign.
