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The Netherlands has a high-powered group of playmakers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

They aren't entirely at what some would consider full strength, though. Xavi Simons isn't there in the Dutch squad.

The midfielder moved to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2025-26 season, and he helped Spurs barely stay up in the English Premier League after a brutal relegation battle.

Simons has represented the Netherlands on a major stage before, the 2024 Euros, but he's not in North America to suit up for this tournament.

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Why isn't Xavi Simons playing at the World Cup?

Simons isn't in the squad, and it wasn't really a decision. He's injured.

The playmaker tore his right ACL in his knee late in the season for Tottenham.

That's an injury that can keep a player out for nearly an entire year.

When Simons got hurt for Spurs, the emotion on his face made it clear that he knew he was probably going to miss the World Cup.

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With the tournament only once every four years, an injury like that can greatly limit a player's ability to make an international impact.

Simons is young enough that he'd hope and expect to be back at the tournament in 2030, but nothing is a given.

This is a big missed chance for Simons, due simply to the fact that injury luck wasn't on his side.

More FIFA World Cup news:

Tottenham Hotspur's start to the summer transfer window has seen them add plenty of depth to their backline, securing the likes of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers, as their contracts with their previous clubs had expired at the end of the season. It's worth noting that they've also been linked to the likes of Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke and Dinamo Zagreb's Sergi Dominguez in recent weeks, as their defensive bolstering campaign seems to be all but over.

While they're looking to bring players in for their defensive battery, it appears a few players could be leaving North London in the offseason, with Cristian Romero linked with a move away, as well as one of their more promising defenders, Luka Vuskovic. The Croatian defender has caught the eyes of the aforementioned Brighton, who were interested in exploring a £30 million deal for the wonderkid, with the bid being reported on Friday.

Tottenham are not satisfied with the Seagulls' offer

While it was reported that the Croatian was interested in working with Seagulls' gaffer Fabian Hurzeler, it appears that the South Coast side will have to up their offer, as Spurs have rejected their initial proposal outright, as reported by Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg.

It seems that the real bump in the road standing between a deal between the two clubs falls on the fee for Vuskovic, with the £30 million put up by Brighton falling short of the estimated £60 million that the Lilywhites are expected to value you him, according to GiveMeSport's Ben Jacobs.

For some, the reported £60 million fee could be a bit shocking, but given his age and production with Bundesliga side Hamburg last season, it's no surprise to see the North London club raising their price to those heights. Across his 30 appearances with Hamburg, Vuskovic would find the back of the net on six occasions, while recording 44 interceptions and 18 won tackles, which was enough to earn him a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

Vuskovic's evaluation could soar above that previously reported amount in the coming weeks, as he received the call to represent Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, being pitted in Group L, along with England, Ghana, and Panama.

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Richarlison is one of Brazil's most well-known current players thanks to his time in the English Premier League with Everton and now Tottenham.

But you won't see his face in the famous Selecao uniform during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Richarlison is missing in action, and he won't be showing up at any point during the major tournament.

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Why isn't Richarlison playing for Brazil?

Simply, Richarlison wasn't chosen in the squad.

Brazil has always had a large group of forwards and attacking-minded players to choose from, and for the 2026 World Cup, they went in directions other than Richarlison.

One of the toughest selections was the legendary Neymar, who is far from his peak ability but still proved in the end too tough to leave off the roster.

Richarlison had a solid, but not spectacular, season for Spurs as they staved off relegation on the final day. He played in 32 league matches and scored 11 goals with four assists.

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The 29-year old forward is capable of playing down the middle or on a wing, which could've raised his appeal for a World Cup roster with versatility, but wasn't appealing enough in the end.

Given his age, this may have been his last best chance to represent his nation at a World Cup. It's tough to imagine him getting onto the roster in four years.

Brazil will have plenty of firepower without Richarlison, but it's a tough break for him to miss out.

More FIFA World Cup news:

One of the mainstays with Tottenham Hotspur over the last four seasons has been that of Yves Bissouma, who has been a fixture in the Lilywhites’ midfield for that time period. The 29-year-old made the move to North London in 2022, having previously been a part of the Brighton squad, which was jampacked with some of the bigger names of the English topflight today: Marc Cucurella, Alexis Mac Allister, and Leandro Trossard, among others.

So it was quite a big deal when the Lilywhites were able to bring the Malian to bolster their midfield department, which at the time consisted of Pedro Porro, Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Ivan Perisic, amongst others.

However, while Bissouma would be a part of the Tottenham squad to end the club’s infamous trophy drought in 2025, hoisting the Europa League trophy over their Premier League counterpart Manchester United, he was also a part of the team’s recent struggles domestically.

In the same season that the Lilywhites lifted the Europa League trophy, they finished 17th in the Premier League table, which would carry on to the next season, this time going through three managers in the process, and having their top-flight survival be decided on the final day of the season.

The Malian leaves North London

Bissouma wouldn’t put out his best performances during the recent campaign, recording eight interceptions and winning 11 tackles, all of which were cast down by two big injuries, with all of it happening in what was his contract year. It appears these will be his last outings with Tottenham, as the team announced his departure on Wednesday morning, opting not to work towards a new deal.

The 28-year-old will be able to reach out elsewhere to see who is interested in acquiring his talents, while it will allow Spurs to give more playing time to some of the younger talents they have in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

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Tottenham Hotspur have gone into the summer transfer window with one thing on their mind: improving their defensive backline. This goal comes after the Lilywhites struggled in the Premier League, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship, while allowing the fourth most goals in the English top flight.

It would appear that the North London club has been making significant headway on their defensive improvements, with the recent signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, both of whom have left their previous clubs for Tottenham on a free transfer. While Spurs have also been tied to Dinamo Zagreb’s Sergi Dominguez in recent weeks, they’ve been showing interest in a defender from the south coast, Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke.

Tottenham’s negotiations fall flat with Brighton

It was reported earlier in the week that the Lilywhites were keen on bringing in the Dutchman, as he had previously worked under Roberto De Zerbi during his time at the American Express Stadium, but there hadn’t been any moves made.

That has since changed, as according to talkSPORTS’ Anton Stanley, Spurs have sent over two offers to the Seagulls, but both have been rejected.

“Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so, in fact, two bids,” Paul Barber, Brighton’s chief executive, told talkSPORT.

It appears that while the Seagulls are playing tough to get for their star defender, they’re only doing it as they need things to be right for both the organization and the player.

"From that point of view, it has to be right for us as well as the player,“ stated Barber.

All of this interest comes after a season in which van Hecke was the defensive anchor in Brighton’s backline, recording 46 interceptions and winning 32 tackles.

While in the initial report on Tottenham’s interest in the Dutchman, it was also stated that they had an interest in Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, it doesn’t appear that there are any updates on that front from talkSPORT’s interactions with Barber.

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It wouldn’t be bold to say that anything is better than what Tottenham Hotspur just did during the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season, one point above the line. It’s become apparent that the Lilywhites are doing their best to avoid even getting close to that zone again, which can be reflected in their activity early on in the summer transfer window.

It’s being heavily speculated that Spurs are set to sign both Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson to help bolster their backline, something that was quite the issue for them, as the team only kept nine clean sheets, allowing 54 goals during the domestic campaign.

There have also been links to Dinamo Zagreb’s Sergi Dominguez, with the North London club jumping in on a target of Italian side Lazio, but their search appears to have gone to the South Coast of England.

De Zerbi looking for a reunion

According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Spurs’ manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen on signing two of his former players, Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Berbruggen.

“Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to test Brighton and Hove Albion’s resolve as they weigh up moves for Dutch duo Bart Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer,” writes Bailey.

This would reunite the Seagulls’ pair with their former manager, and would certainly put Guglielmo Vicario’s future in North London under question, given his shaky performances last season.

Van Hecke, on the other hand, would slot in well with the Spurs’ backline, as he was a huge part of the Sea Gulls’ defensive strategy, recording 46 interceptions, while winning 32 tackles across his 40 appearances last season.

While there isn’t a known fee for the partnership, TEAMtalk reports that it would be quite high, given that Brighton is rather relaxed about selling the pair.

“The Seagulls are under no pressure to sell Verbruggen or Van Hecke and are expected to demand substantial fees should formal approaches arrive,” stated Bailey.

For now, it’ll be another one of the storylines to follow as the Lilywhites look to rebound from what was quite the lackluster campaign.

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Tottenham Hotspur just finished what could only be described as one of the more nerve-racking seasons they’ve had in recent history, finishing two points above the relegation zone, going through three managers across one season, and having to watch their arch rivals nearly do the double. Things weren’t going well for the Lilywhites.

One of their bigger struggles had been their work, or lack thereof, on the defensive end of the pitch, allowing the fourth-most goals last season, only being beaten out by the three relegated teams, West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolves.

But it appears that the Spurs board are looking to work on bolstering their back line, as they’ve made progress on acquiring Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson in the last few weeks, but they’ve been tied to another name: Sergi Dominguez.

The Spaniard’s two admirers

As reported by Italian journalist Afredo Pedulla, Tottenham are potentially about to hijack a deal between Italian side Lazio and Dinamo Zagreb for the Spaniard’s signature.

“In recent days there has been talk of Sergi Dominguez, a central defender born in 2005 and owned by Dinamo Zagreb, with him being linked above all with Lazio…” Pedulla writes. “Spurs have set their sights on Dominguez, who grew up at Barcelona, ​​great speed despite his imposing physique and good at building up the defence.”

Dominguez just wrapped up his first season in the Croatian top flight, being the defensive anchor of the league-winning side, recording 47 interceptions and winning out on 43 tackles. It’s worth noting that the 21-year-old was also a bit of a threat on the forward part of the pitch, wrapping the campaign up with six goal involvements.

While the initial asking price was in the lower regions of 4-5 million, according to Pedulla, that number is expected to rise.

“There has been talk of 4-5 million offered by Lazio, in reality we are at least three times higher, then it will depend on any bonuses or the percentage on a possible future resale,” stated Pedulla.

The potential bidding war between the English and Italian clubs will certainly be a storyline to watch for in the coming months.

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Igor Tudor, known as a "recovery specialist" head coach, was meant to rescue Tottenham Hotspur from the depths of despair, but it appears he has only sunk Spurs deeper into the nightmare.

After the departure of Thomas Frank in mid-February, Tudor was appointed through the end of the season with a simple remit: stop Spurs from sinking into a true relegation battle and maintain their strong European play.

Instead, they have been sucked towards the vortex at the bottom of the Premier League table under his watch, and they are now in a truly dire situation in the Champions League, having succumbed to a shambolic 5-2 defeat in the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup against Atletico Madrid.

With Tudor's position suddenly in peril not even a month into the job, The Sporting News takes a look at who could take over with the aim of keeping Spurs afloat on multiple fronts to avoid the unfathomable worst-case scenario.

MORE: A full overview of Tottenham's lengthy injury list that has hampered their 2025/26 season

Next Tottenham manager: Who could take over for Igor Tudor?

With Spurs hoping to play their part in the managerial sweepstakes expected to take place in the coming summer following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Premier League giants are likely looking for another temporary solution so they can look for a more permanent boss once the season wraps up.

Here are five possible solutions to fill the Spurs manager position should Tudor find himself cast adrift.

Ryan Mason

Having served twice previously as Tottenham interim manager, former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason would be a popular and reasonable choice to herald the club through one of its most difficult periods in modern history.

He took over the club temporarily in both 2021 and 2023, having never managed at senior level before. He was appointed to lead West Brom over the summer but was sacked after seven months in charge with the club sitting 18th in the Championship table.

Given his recent failure with the Baggies, it might be hard to sell Mason as the club's savior, but he's a knowledgeable and recognisable option.

Robbie Keane

Spurs legend Robbie Keane has looked to build a managerial career over the last decade, starting as an assistant coach for the Republic of Ireland national team before stops at Middlesbrough and Leeds United.

Keane finally got his first senior managerial opportunity in 2023 with Maccabi Tel Aviv, but that was cut short for safety reasons after one season. After a year without a job, he signed on with Hungarian club Ferencvaros last summer and saw his contract renewed in December after a successful first season in charge.

It would be a lot to ask Keane to leave a current role to take over Spurs in crisis, but the pull of his former club in true crisis might be too difficult for him to resist.

Roberto De Zerbi

If Tottenham wish to make their move now for a permanent boss, or give someone a true audition for the role, they could pounce for Roberto De Zerbi now.

The Italian is considered a contender for the permanent job but is available now after being sacked around the same time as Frank last month following Marseille's heavy Classique defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

MORE: A breakdown of Roberto De Zerbi's unique tactics as he eyes Spurs managerial role

Appointing De Zerbi now would give the club a top manager on the open market while allowing him to win the permanent role, but after the way his time in France ended, there will be questions about his viability for the job.

Harry Redknapp

Now 79, Harry Redknapp has not managed a club since his short stint at Birmingham City in 2017 and has not been in a Premier League role since departing QPR over a decade ago.

So, would he really be the man to save Tottenham? Having managed the club for four years once upon a time, it's not out of the question they could turn to a familiar face.

He has remained around football as a regular pundit on multiple outlets, but would that leave him with the skills to make a shock return to management in a game that is almost unrecognisable from when he retired?

Mauricio Pochettino

While former Tottenham and current USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino is considered a leading candidate for the managerial role this summer — if they stay up, that is — there's almost no chance the move happens now.

Not only is Pochettino under contract with the United States — a deal that reportedly comes with a ridiculously high buyout for an early exit — he is said to be wanted by multiple top European clubs, leaving him with no incentive to make a decision on his club future now.

Tottenham Hotspur fans must have hoped that least season's Premier League performances under Ange Postecoglou were an aberration. It doesn't look that way.

The north London side suffered their 13th defeat in 28 league matches to usher in March, going down 2-1 at Fulham. The result left them just four points outside the relegation places. The club has not won in league play in 10 straight matches, dating back to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in late December.

Thomas Frank was sacked on February 11 following a defeat to Newcastle United, with interim boss Igor Tudor installed in his place through at least the end of the season.

It still feels highly unlikely that Spurs really could be dragged into the bottom three and there are plenty of games left to turn things around, but the mere fact that relegation is even being mentioned is hugely embarrassing for a club named the ninth most valuable soccer team by Forbes in 2025.

If the unthinkable should happen, would it be a first for Spurs? The Sporting News looks through the history books.

MORE: Highlights and analysis from Spurs' home defeat to Newcastle

Have Tottenham ever been relegated?

In the Premier League era, Tottenham have never been relegated from the top flight.

The last time Spurs dropped out of the top division was back in 1977, when they were relegated to the second tier under manager Keith Burkinshaw.

They won promotion back to the top table the next season, and they have been ever-present in the highest league since.

Prior to that, Spurs were relegated in 1935 and spent a few decades in the second tier, finally winning promotion to the elite by winning Division 2 in 1950.

All times Tottenham have been relegated in club history

YearFinishResultReturned to Division 11976/7722nd (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21978 (1 season)1934/3522nd (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21950 (8 seasons)*1927/2821st (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21933 (5 seasons)1914/1520th (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21920 (1 season)*

* There was no league football in England from 1940-1946 due to World War II.

* There was no league football in England from 1916-1919 due to World War I.

What is Tottenham's worst Premier League finish?

Since the beginning of the Premier League era, Spurs' poorest season came under Postecoglou in 2024/25, when they finished in 17th place in the table, with 38 points from 38 games.

They were comfortably clear of the relegation places on points, but their form was nonetheless wretched throughout the campaign. The exception of course was in the Europa League: they won the final 1-0 against Manchester United in Bilbao to end a wait of 17 years for a major trophy.

Prior to that, their lowest-ever finish in a Premier League season was 15th. That was in 1993/94, the second-ever Premier League campaign.

MORE: List of Spurs' trophies won and all-time finals record

Could Tottenham be relegated this season?

It sounds astonishing to suggest a club of Tottenham's resources, who had a team in the Champions League final as recently as 2019 and are competing in this season's Round of 16, could actually drop out of the Premier League.

Yet that is a reality that they could be facing if they do not arrest their poor form quickly.

Spurs have 29 points from their first 26 games of 2025/26, leaving them in 16th place with a four-point cushion to the drop zone. The difference between this season and last is that one of the bottom three have a realistic chance of climbing out of trouble.

Wolves look to be doomed to the drop and Burnley are eight points from safety, but West Ham United are just two points behind Nottingham Forest and four behind Spurs. What's more, the Hammers have only lost one of their most recent five league games and will be confident in their chances of getting out of the bottom three.

Spurs also have a daunting run of fixtures coming up. After back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Fulham, they now Crystal Palace and Liverpool either side of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham remaining Premier League fixtures

Tottenham have a relatively elementary run-in to the 2025/26 Premier League season.

They face 'big six' clubs just twice from the start of March through the final two months of the campaign, with visits to Liverpool on March 15 and Chelsea on May 17.

Six of their final 10 matches are to come against clubs in the bottom half of the standings as of March 1, with games against fellow relegation candidates Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Leeds United the most critical of the matches remaining.

Tottenham Hotspur fans must have hoped that least season's Premier League performances under Ange Postecoglou were an aberration. It doesn't look that way.

The north London side suffered their 13th defeat in 28 league matches to usher in March, going down 2-1 at Fulham. The result left them just four points outside the relegation places. The club has not won in league play in 10 straight matches, dating back to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in late December.

Thomas Frank was sacked on February 11 following a defeat to Newcastle United, with interim boss Igor Tudor installed in his place through at least the end of the season.

It still feels highly unlikely that Spurs really could be dragged into the bottom three and there are plenty of games left to turn things around, but the mere fact that relegation is even being mentioned is hugely embarrassing for a club named the ninth most valuable soccer team by Forbes in 2025.

If the unthinkable should happen, would it be a first for Spurs? The Sporting News looks through the history books.

MORE: Highlights and analysis from Spurs' home defeat to Newcastle

Have Tottenham ever been relegated?

In the Premier League era, Tottenham have never been relegated from the top flight.

The last time Spurs dropped out of the top division was back in 1977, when they were relegated to the second tier under manager Keith Burkinshaw.

They won promotion back to the top table the next season, and they have been ever-present in the highest league since.

Prior to that, Spurs were relegated in 1935 and spent a few decades in the second tier, finally winning promotion to the elite by winning Division 2 in 1950.

All times Tottenham have been relegated in club history

YearFinishResultReturned to Division 11976/7722nd (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21978 (1 season)1934/3522nd (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21950 (8 seasons)*1927/2821st (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21933 (5 seasons)1914/1520th (Division 1)Relegated to Division 21920 (1 season)*

* There was no league football in England from 1940-1946 due to World War II.

* There was no league football in England from 1916-1919 due to World War I.

What is Tottenham's worst Premier League finish?

Since the beginning of the Premier League era, Spurs' poorest season came under Postecoglou in 2024/25, when they finished in 17th place in the table, with 38 points from 38 games.

They were comfortably clear of the relegation places on points, but their form was nonetheless wretched throughout the campaign. The exception of course was in the Europa League: they won the final 1-0 against Manchester United in Bilbao to end a wait of 17 years for a major trophy.

Prior to that, their lowest-ever finish in a Premier League season was 15th. That was in 1993/94, the second-ever Premier League campaign.

MORE: List of Spurs' trophies won and all-time finals record

Could Tottenham be relegated this season?

It sounds astonishing to suggest a club of Tottenham's resources, who had a team in the Champions League final as recently as 2019 and are competing in this season's Round of 16, could actually drop out of the Premier League.

Yet that is a reality that they could be facing if they do not arrest their poor form quickly.

Spurs have 29 points from their first 26 games of 2025/26, leaving them in 16th place with a four-point cushion to the drop zone. The difference between this season and last is that one of the bottom three have a realistic chance of climbing out of trouble.

Wolves look to be doomed to the drop and Burnley are eight points from safety, but West Ham United are just two points behind Nottingham Forest and four behind Spurs. What's more, the Hammers have only lost one of their most recent five league games and will be confident in their chances of getting out of the bottom three.

Spurs also have a daunting run of fixtures coming up. After back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Fulham, they now Crystal Palace and Liverpool either side of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham remaining Premier League fixtures

Tottenham have a relatively elementary run-in to the 2025/26 Premier League season.

They face 'big six' clubs just twice from the start of March through the final two months of the campaign, with visits to Liverpool on March 15 and Chelsea on May 17.

Six of their final 10 matches are to come against clubs in the bottom half of the standings as of March 1, with games against fellow relegation candidates Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Leeds United the most critical of the matches remaining.