Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman announced his final 26-man squad on Wednesday for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Memphis Depay recovered from a hamstring injury to secure his place. The forward stands as the country’s all-time top scorer and assister. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber also entered the selection despite earlier doubts from the manager.
Koeman selected Bournemouth midfielder Justin Kluivert following the player’s recent injury battles. Kluivert replaces Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons, who missed selection after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in April. PSV captain Jerdy Schouten also misses the tournament with an ACL tear.
Koeman left PSV midfielder Joey Veerman out of the initial 55-man preliminary squad. Veerman last played for the national team during Euro 2024. The midfielder recently criticised Koeman during an interview with ESPN.
Veerman said: “If you keep holding press conferences like that and saying I’m not a good person, then at some point I’ll just have had enough. He doesn’t need to call me anymore.”
Atalanta captain Marten de Roon returns to the squad for the first time since March 2024 to replace Schouten and Veerman. PSV midfielder Guus Til also returns to the squad. Til holds six international caps and last played for the Netherlands in June 2022. Koeman omitted Stefan de Vrij and Jeremie Frimpong from the final list.
The Netherlands open their Group stage campaign against Japan on Sunday 14 June, before matches against Sweden on 20 June and Tunisia on 26 June.
Final 26-Man Squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Mats Wieffer (Brighton)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Olympique Marseille)
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)
