Xavi Simons ruled out of 2026 World Cup

April 28, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

Tottenham Hotspur winger Xavi Simons will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The 23-year-old's season has been cut short, with his club confirming the devastating injury on Monday.

Simons picked up the injury during the second half of Spurs' 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday in Wolverhampton, England. He is scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming weeks and will begin his rehabilitation immediately with Tottenham Hotspur's medical team, according to an announcement on the club's official website.

Simons' emotional reaction

The Netherlands international shared his heartbreak across Instagram, Facebook, and X on Sunday, expressing his profound disappointment at the sudden end to his season and the loss of a World Cup opportunity.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons wrote. "My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense. All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me… along with the World Cup. Representing my country this summer…just gone."

He added a message of resilience and faith, acknowledging the difficult road ahead. "It’ll take time to find peace with this, but I’ll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight. I’ll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me."

Blow for club and country

Simons' absence is a significant blow for both Tottenham Hotspur and the Netherlands national team. The young winger had been a key contributor for Spurs during the 2025-26 campaign, recording five goals and six assists across 41 appearances in all competitions.

Tottenham Hotspur offered their full support to their injured star. "Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends Xavi our love and support, we will be with him every step of the way," the club stated on their website. The club's official update confirmed the surgery and rehabilitation plans.

For the Netherlands, Simons' injury means he will miss their Group F opener at the 2026 World Cup against Japan on June 14 in Arlington, Texas. He will also be unavailable for their pre-tournament friendly against Algeria on June 3 in Rotterdam. His dynamic presence on the wing will be sorely missed as the Dutch prepare for the global tournament, as reported by UPI.

Sources: www.upi.com, www.tottenhamhotspur.com, www.instagram.com, www.instagram.com