Xavi Simons will miss the 2026 World Cup due to a serious knee injury. The creative midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur and the Netherlands national team tore his anterior cruciate ligament in April, ruling him out of the tournament.
This was reported by Redbull.com. The injury occurred during a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Simons, a key figure for Oranje, is not expected to return until 2027. His absence is a major blow for a Dutch side currently leading their World Cup qualifying group. The Netherlands are top with 7 points from 3 games and boast a +6 goal difference.
What does this mean for the Netherlands at the World Cup?
The loss of Xavi Simons comes at a critical time. The Netherlands begin their World Cup 2026 campaign as group leaders and hold a 2-point advantage over Japan. Manager Ronald Koeman's team is unbeaten in their last five qualifiers, a run of three wins and two draws. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw with Morocco on June 30, 2026.
Simons was an indispensable part of the Euro 2024 squad, starting every match except one. He scored the Netherlands' only goal in their 2-1 semi-final defeat to England. His creativity and goal output must now be replaced by others. Koeman must find a solution in midfield, where Frenkie de Jong is also currently sidelined. The latest injury updates can be followed on our injuries page.
How has Xavi Simons' career developed so far?
Xavi Simons was born in the Netherlands but moved to Spain at age seven to join FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. He spent nine years there, developing alongside players like Alejandro Balde and Fermín López. In 2019, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, making his professional debut in 2021.
A season at PSV Eindhoven in 2022 was a breakthrough success. He became the Eredivisie's top scorer with 22 goals and provided 12 assists, while PSV won the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff Shield. PSG triggered a buy-back clause, then loaned him to RB Leipzig. There, he earned the iconic number 10 shirt. His move to Leipzig was made permanent in January 2025, but last summer Chelsea and Tottenham competed for his signature. Tottenham secured his transfer on the final day of the window.
When will he be available for the Netherlands again?
Recovery from an ACL tear is a lengthy process. Medical experts expect Xavi Simons to return to football in 2027. This means he will miss the entire 2026 World Cup and a large portion of the upcoming club season. It's a setback for Tottenham's plans and a significant loss for Oranje in the build-up to and during the tournament.
The player himself remains positive. "A game-changing creative force for club and country, Spurs and Netherlands attacking midfielder Xavi Simons is one of football's biggest talents," he told Redbull.com. His focus is now entirely on rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the Netherlands prepare for their next qualifier, a home match against Germany on September 24, 2026. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
