Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of the European Championship due to an ankle injury, delivering a significant blow to the team’s prospects. The Dutch football federation announced that the Barcelona star would not be participating in Euro 2024 in Germany after Ronald Koeman’s team secured a 4-0 victory over Iceland in their final warm-up game. De Jong observed from the bench on Monday in Rotterdam.

“He won’t be fit enough to play at this level for the next three weeks,” Koeman explained. “There’s no point keeping him with us.”

The Dutch officials confirmed that tests revealed De Jong’s ankle is not sufficiently resilient yet. Koeman will decide later whether to call up a replacement, with AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders filling in during De Jong’s absence on Monday.

Another concern for the Netherlands is midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who was injured during the warm-up for the Iceland match and is now doubtful for the tournament. Koeman expressed concerns, saying, “I have a bad feeling,” as they await test results expected today.

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The Netherlands, 1988 European champions, face Poland in their first Group D match on Sunday in Hamburg, followed by matches against World Cup runners-up France and Austria.

Injury concerns also plague Poland, with strikers Robert Lewandowski and Karol Swiderski doubtful for Euro 2024 after sustaining injuries during a 2-1 warm-up win against Turkey on Monday.

Several players have already withdrawn from the tournament due to injuries since the squads were announced. These include Giorgio Scalvini of Italy, Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes, and Netherlands’ Frenkie de Jong.

Adding to the list, Czechia midfielder Michal Sadilek will miss Euro 2024 after a bike accident. The 24-cap international, who plays for FC Twente in the Netherlands, suffered a severe leg laceration during individual training following a friendly match. The Czech national team decided he could not participate in the tournament and announced his departure, just one day after he captained his team in a win over Malta.

“Sadilek unfortunately fell while riding his bike and suffered a laceration in the leg,” a Czech Republic spokesperson said. Manager Ivan Hasek commented, “This is a big setback for us, because Michal is one of our experienced players. It was not without reason that he wore the captain’s armband during the match against Malta. On behalf of the whole team, I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Sadilek, previously on PSV’s books before moving to Twente, was part of the Czech squad at the delayed Euro 2020 finals and has scored once for the senior side. No replacement has been called up yet to fill his spot.

“If we call someone else, we will decide in the near future,” Hasek added.

Czech Republic faces Turkey, Georgia, and Portugal in Group F, with their first match against Portugal on 18 June.