{"id":9569,"date":"2026-06-10T08:25:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T08:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=9569"},"modified":"2026-06-10T08:25:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T08:25:32","slug":"internationals-saliba-starts-as-timber-pulls-out-international-news-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=9569","title":{"rendered":"Internationals: Saliba starts as Timber pulls out | International | News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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William Saliba started France’s 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After missing France’s defeat against the Ivory Coast, Wilo started alongside Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.<\/p>\n

It was Upamecano’s teammate, Michael Olise, who stole the show, netting a fine hat-trick in the 3-1 triumph in northern France.<\/p>\n

Wilo played the first half before being subbed, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix coming on in his place.<\/p>\n

Les Bleus now travel to America ahead of their first World Cup group match against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16.<\/p>\n

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TIMBER PULLS OUT OF WORLD CUP<\/h2>\n
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While one player was warming up for the World Cup, another was pulling out of the squad.The <\/p>\n

Netherlands confirmed on social media that Jurrien Timber will miss the finals in Mexico, Canada and the USA.<\/p>\n

Jurrien, who returned to action during the Champions League final, has pulled out with a groin injury and been replaced by <\/strong>Lutsharel Geertruida, who spent last season on loan with Sunderland.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the Dutch FA said: “Jurri\u00ebn Timber misses the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team\u2019s pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan.”<\/p>\n

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Jurri\u00ebn Timber misses the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner. In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/r6Wu8FRCfP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/article>\n

TRIO FEATURE FOR SPAIN<\/h2>\n
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Midfield duo Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi were second half substitutes for Spain in their 3-1 warm-up victory over Peru in Mexico.<\/p>\n

Having captained his nation in the previous warm-up fixture, Merino replaced Pedri on 61 minutes. Zubimendi did the same, coming on for Rodri at the same time at the Estadio Cuauht\u00e9moc. <\/p>\n

David Raya also picked up some minutes, coming on at half-time for Luis de la Fuente’s side. Attentions for Spain now turn to their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on Monday, June 15.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Copyright 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.<\/p>\n