Jeremie Frimpong might have 15 caps for the Netherlands to his name, but the Liverpool defender won't be in action at this summer's World Cup
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong won't play at this summer's World Cup(Image: (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
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Ronald Koeman admitted Jeremie Frimpong has been left out of the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup due to his lack of gametime at Liverpool this season. Frimpong was a surprise exclusion from Koeman’s 26-man squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Frimpong has endured a difficult campaign since arriving for £29million from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, hampered by three separate injury setbacks and an inability to secure a regular position. And Komean revealed: "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 halftime and soon left, injured. I had to choose, and I opted for another on the right flank."
But while Frimpong has missed out, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo have all been included in Koeman's squad.The Netherlands are in Group F, which means they will play Wataru Endo‘s Japan on June 14, Alexander Isak‘s Sweden six days later, and will conclude their group stage campaign against Tunisia on June 26.
Speaking in March, Arne Slot admitted that Frimpong's limited number of outings was a major 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.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot talks to Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot talks to Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch.(Image: Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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"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)."
Opening up on his first year at Liverpool, Frimpong recently told 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.
Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong
Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong during a Liverpool training session(Image: Getty Images)
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“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.
“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.”
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