Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has been omitted from the Netherlands' 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer, with the Reds star breaking his silence on social media after his surprise exclusion
Matty Hewitt Football Writer
18:55, 29 May 2026
Jeremie Frimpong of the Netherlands during the friendly international match between the Netherlands and Ecuador at Philips Stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Marcel van Dorst/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong has addressed his FIFA World Cup snub(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has spoken out with a heartfelt social media post following his unexpected exclusion from the Netherlands' World Cup squad.
The Reds full-back was a surprising omission from Ronald Koeman's 26-man selection for the tournament to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. In an Instagram story, Frimpong posted a photograph of himself representing his country, accompanied by the caption: "It wasn't meant to be this time, but I'll be supporting the boys every step of the way this summer."
The 25-year-old has endured a difficult campaign since his £29 million ($41M) switch from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, blighted by three separate injury setbacks and an inability to cement a regular starting berth. Having managed just 35 outings across all competitions, Koeman elaborated on his decision: "I didn't take Frimpong because of what I saw in the season. Several physical problems.
"Let's remember the match against Ecuador [friendly in March], when he came on at half-time and soon left, injured. I had to choose, and I opted for another on the right flank."
While Frimpong has missed out, fellow Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo have all earned their places in Koeman's squad.
The Netherlands have been drawn in Group F, where they face Wataru Endo's Japan on 14th June, Alexander Isak's Sweden six days later, before concluding their group stage campaign against Tunisia on 26th June. Speaking back in March, Arne Slot conceded that Frimpong's limited number of outings had been a considerable blow for the Reds.
"Jeremie has shown every time he comes in that when you face low blocks, how important pace is," he said. "I can tell you, the moment you don't face low blocks and the moment you face teams who (line up) further away from goal, then pace becomes probably even more important.
Jeremie Frimpong has sent a message on social media after his was left out of the Netherlands World Cup squad.
Frimpong spoke about his omission from the Netherlands squad for the World Cup on Instagram(Image: Jeremie Frimpong Instagram screengrab)
"Pace in modern football, apart from being really strong at set-pieces, is crucial. Not that I needed it because I knew it, but Paris Saint-Germain were a great example (last season) of pace when it comes to the forwards — to win the Champions League from open play and be creative.
"We thought, I thought, that was something we could add to this team and what we've tried to do. But unfortunately we've only been able to use one player (we signed) who has a lot of pace in our front three and that is Hugo (Ekitike)."
When quizzed about his injury difficulties this campaign, Frimpong opened up to the Daily Telegraph: "It's never happened in my career. I've had three injuries and, on top of that, the team is not doing so well, like we should do.
"There have been a lot of challenges. If we could have won one of the FA Cup or the Champions League, it wouldn't have been as bad.
Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong's first season with Liverpool was marred by injuries(Image: (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
"How have I dealt with it? I've got my family; my girlfriend. You have to understand we are human. We've got feelings as well.
"When bad things happen, we think about it. The moment you go home, you think: 'Oh' – you have got to do something to stay away from going into your own mind.
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"So you need your family, your loved ones and that is what has got me through the difficult times this season. I'm not going to lie, it's been hard.
"But when I was down, I had people with me who made me be with them. They distract me, so I'm not just there sitting around looking at nothing."