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Why Xavi Simons isn't playing for Netherlands at the World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Netherlands have a talented group of creative players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, they are not at full strength in every area. Xavi Simons is not part of the Dutch squad.
The midfielder joined Tottenham Hotspur for the 2025-26 season and helped Spurs narrowly avoid relegation from the English Premier League after a difficult campaign.
Simons previously represented the Netherlands at a major international tournament, UEFA Euro 2024, but he is not in North America for this World Cup.
Simons is absent from the squad, and it was not a selection decision. He is injured.
The playmaker suffered a torn ACL in his right knee late in the season while playing for Tottenham.
It is an injury that can keep a player sidelined for close to a year.
When Simons suffered the injury for Spurs, his reaction made it clear that he understood he would likely miss the World Cup.
With the tournament taking place only once every four years, an injury of this kind can significantly reduce a player's opportunities to make an impact at international level.
Simons is still young enough to hope and expect to return for the tournament in 2030, but nothing is guaranteed.
This is a major missed opportunity for Simons, caused simply by unfortunate injury timing.