Timber benching fuels USMNT’s World Cup 2026 group‑stage alarm
Dutch FA’s decision to bench Bayern defender Timber underscores USMNT’s defensive frailties as the 2026 World Cup group stage approaches.
Timber’s benching by the Dutch FA has cast a long shadow over the United States men’s national team’s World Cup 2026 prospects. The Bayern Munich defender’s exclusion from Oranje’s send‑off squad has reignited concerns about USMNT’s defensive depth as the tournament looms. The decision, announced just weeks before the tournament, leaves the United States with a thin back line anchored by veterans Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, while the midfield boasts talents such as Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons.
