Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke took a significant blow to his face during the Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Japan on June 14, sustaining an eye injury that has left him with diminished vision. The 26-year-old Dutch defender managed to gut out the entire match, a 2-2 draw, but the aftermath has raised real questions about his availability for the rest of the tournament.

Van Hecke reported reduced vision in his right eye immediately after the final whistle. He’s hoping clarity returns within a few days.

What happened on the pitch

Van Hecke took a blow to his face that caused pronounced swelling around his right eye. Despite the injury, Van Hecke completed the full 90 minutes, later acknowledging that the swelling worsened considerably during the second half.

Dutch medical personnel are set to evaluate his condition on June 16 to determine the full extent of the damage and whether he’ll be fit for the Netherlands’ next group match.

A high-value asset at risk

Van Hecke has been a key figure for Brighton & Hove Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur has previously made approaches to sign him, with offers reportedly ranging between 40 million and 50 million pounds, all of which Brighton rejected.