Netherlands star Xavi Simons sidelined for World Cup 2026 with knee injury

The Netherlands will be without attacking forward Xavi Simons at the 2026 World Cup after he sustained a knee injury described as a cruciate ligament tear, ruling him out for several months.

The reports emphasize the impact on the Dutch squad for the summer tournament and note Simons’s own reaction to the setback, with headlines referencing his feelings using phrases such as "Leben kann grausam sein" and "Untröstlich" regarding his absence from the World Cup.

The World Cup is scheduled for the summer, and the Netherlands now must adjust to his absence while preparing for the tournament.