Netherlands announce squad for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers; Virgil van Dijk included

Holland will face Malta and Finland in June window.

Bart Verbruggen, the Netherlands’ first-choice goalkeeper, was dropped from the World Cup qualifying tournament next month, therefore, Kjell Scherpen, who hasn’t played yet, was added to the team on Monday after Ronald Koeman announced the squad.

Although he hasn’t yet played for the Dutch, Scherpen, who secured the Austrian Bundesliga title with Sturm Graz this month, has been picked up as injury cover in the past.

In the Dutch football association’s announcement of the 23-man roster on Monday, Verbruggen stated that he was “having trouble with physical issues and needed time for the healing process.” Verbruggen played on Sunday as Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 away in their final Premier League match of the season.

Another key player, Jurrien Timber, a defender for Arsenal, is also absent following ankle surgery and wasn’t called up.

The Netherlands will play Finland away in Helsinki on June 7 and then host Malta in Groningen on June 10 in an attempt to advance to the World Cup finals the following year.

Netherlands are yet to play a World Cup qualifying match as they will prepare for the games in June. They are currently in group G alongside Poland, Malta, Finland and Lithuania.

Netherlands announce squad for June international break

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Kjell Scherpen (Sturm Graz)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam).

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