MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 13: Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands attends a press conference one day ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Germany and Netherlands at Allianz Arena on October 13, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Ronald Koeman has announced the Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup. Amongst the 26 players set to wear orange this summer, Koeman has decided to include Memphis Depay despite concerns around his fitness. The former Lyon and Manchester Untied forward has been struggling with injury during his time in Brazil but has repeatedly stated that he believes he will be fit enough to help the Dutch team at the World Cup. Another player happy to be there is Justin Kluivert, who spent a portion of this season injured and had hoped to prove to Koeman that he deserved to represent the Netherlands at the World Cup. The Bournemouth winger has clearly done enough to persuade Koeman to take him on the plane.
The rest of the team is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs, Bart Verbruggen
Defenders:
Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Jorrel Hato, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Jurrien Timber.
Midfielders:
Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners, Tijjani Reijnders, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Mats Wieffer
Forwards:
Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
The Netherlands will face Algeria and Uzbekistan in pre tournament friendlies before opning their World Cup against Japan, their biggest threat in Group F. Following their clash with Japan, the Dutch face Sweden and Tunisia.