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Netherlands' World Cup squad announced: familiar faces and notable absences
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Netherlands' World Cup squad announced: familiar faces and notable absences

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman announced his 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup, featuring established stars like Virgil Van Dijk and Frenkie De Jong.
  • Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst, who had notable moments in the previous World Cup, are included despite recent injuries or past confrontations with Argentina.
  • Several key players, including Stefan De Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt, and Jeremie Frimpong, were omitted due to injuries or adaptation issues.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has unveiled his 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup, a list that includes seasoned professionals and some notable absences. Among the prominent names are captain Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong, and forwards Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst.

I selected Memphis for what he is still capable of giving. I don't see anyone else in that position who can do what he does. I still think Depay can contribute, but he has to arrive well for the next period. He has to show his physical condition if he wants to earn a place in the starting eleven.

— Ronald KoemanKoeman explaining his decision to include Memphis Depay in the squad despite his recent injury.

Weghorst, who famously had a tense exchange with Lionel Messi during the 2022 World Cup, is set to represent his country again. Koeman defended the inclusion of Depay, who has been recovering from a muscle injury and has played limited matches this year. "I selected Memphis for what he is still capable of giving. I don't see anyone else in that position who can do what he does," Koeman stated, emphasizing Depay's unique abilities while noting he must prove his fitness.

The squad also features Marten De Roon, captain of Atalanta, at 35 years old, whose experience Koeman believes will be crucial. "I was delighted when I called him. I had already been in contact with him before, I knew he was on the preliminary list," Koeman said about De Roon's inclusion, which was partly influenced by the injury to Jerdy Schouten.

I was delighted when I called him. I had already been in contact with him before, I knew he was on the preliminary list. In fact, he expected to be left out, but after Schouten's injury, he started to cross my mind more as I analyzed the other midfielders and what kind of players they were.

— Ronald KoemanKoeman discussing the inclusion of veteran midfielder Marten De Roon.

Injuries to midfielders Jerdy Schouten and Xavi Simons led to the inclusion of Guus Til. On the defensive front, veteran defenders Stefan De Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt, as well as Liverpool's right-back Jeremie Frimpong, will miss the tournament due to physical issues or adaptation challenges.

For his performance at his club, his physical condition, the type of player. Someone who also brings something different to other number 10s.

— Ronald KoemanKoeman commenting on the call-up of Guus Til.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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