Netherlands handed boost as Bart Verbruggen rejoins group practice after hip injury

Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before the friendly game against Algeria on June 3rd, 2026
Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before the friendly game against Algeria on June 3rd, 2026Photo by STEFAN KOOPS / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP

The Netherlands were given a major boost when goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen rejoined group training on Friday.

Verbruggen suffered a hip injury in the nation's last friendly before the World Cup, landing awkwardly on his hip during the match against Uzbekistan. The Brighton stopper, who was diagnosed with a bruised hip, was taken off shortly after and was replaced by Bayer Leverkusen's Mark Flekken.

Bart Verbruggen receives treatment after taking landing awkwardly against Uzbekistan
Bart Verbruggen receives treatment after taking landing awkwardly against UzbekistanANP / Sipa USA / Profimedia

The 23-year-old Verbruggen was kept apart from the group in the days after, working an individual program to ease him back into a full workload. Verbruggen rejoined group practice on Friday, though it's unknown whether he lasted the full session, as Friday's practice took place behind closed doors.

The Netherlands open their World Cup campaign on Sunday against Japan, who Oranje will meet in Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Group F match is set to kick off at 22.00 CET.

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.

Match schedule and times | Group tables | Full squads for World Cup | How to watch the World Cup 

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