Tottenham Star Xavi Simons Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup After ACL Rupture

Xavi Simons' Injury Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

According to Главком: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands national team due to a serious knee injury, as confirmed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old was stretchered off in the second half of a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in round 34. Initial assessments indicate a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee.

Simons is not only out of the World Cup but also expected to miss at least half of the next season, with a likely return to action in 2027. In the current campaign, he made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing seven assists. His contract with Tottenham runs until the summer of 2030, with an option to extend by two additional seasons.

National Team Debut and Achievements

Simons made his senior debut for the Netherlands in December 2022. He has since earned 34 caps, scoring six goals and registering five assists. At Euro 2024, he helped the Oranje reach the semifinals.

The Netherlands have been drawn into Group F for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face:

• Japan
• Sweden
• Tunisia

Their opening match is scheduled for June 14 against Japan, with all group-stage games taking place in the United States-specifically in Arlington, Houston, and Kansas City.

Simons is not the only high-profile player to be sidelined from the 2026 World Cup. Real Madrid defender Éder Militão will also miss the tournament due to a recurring injury; his previous muscle scar tissue has torn, requiring surgery.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new head coach for the 2026 World Cup, replacing Otto Addo. Queiroz has previously led Portugal and Iran at World Cups.

The absence of Xavi Simons from the 2026 World Cup is a major blow for the Netherlands, as he was a key playmaker capable of deciding matches.

His injury underscores the challenges modern players face, where setbacks can dramatically alter career trajectories. The Dutch national team will now need to find alternative solutions and adapt their tactics to succeed in the group stage without their talented midfielder.

As the Netherlands faces a significant setback with the loss of Xavi Simons, they are not alone in dealing with injuries ahead of the tournament. Another key player, Éder Militão from Real Madrid, is also ruled out due to a serious injury that requires surgery. To learn more about Militão's situation and its impact on the upcoming World Cup, read about the latest developments here.