Netherlands announce 2026 World Cup squad: Frimpong omitted, Timber included

The Netherlands national team has announced a strong and varied squad featuring a blend of Premier League regulars, top European club stars and a few players based outside Europe. The selection includes established names such as Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay, alongside newer options like Robin Roefs and Jorrel Hato. The squad reflects the depth available to the Dutch side across all areas of the pitch, with players drawn from clubs in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Brazil and the Netherlands.

In goal, the Netherlands have chosen Bart Verbruggen of Brighton, Mark Flekken of Bayer Leverkusen and Robin Roefs of Sunderland. Verbruggen and Flekken bring experience at top-level European club football, while Roefs provides an additional option in a role that remains important for balance and competition within the squad.

The defense is led by Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, one of the most experienced and influential players in the group. He is joined by Nathan Ake of Manchester City and Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan, both proven at the highest level. Jurrien Timber of Arsenal and Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur add pace and versatility, while Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton and Hove Albion continues to build his international reputation. Jorrel Hato, now listed as a Chelsea player, is another notable addition, bringing youthful energy and technical quality to the back line.

Midfield options are equally impressive. Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona remains a central figure in the Dutch setup, while Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool offers physicality and progression from deep areas. Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City and Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus add control and experience. Marten de Roon of Atalanta provides stability and tactical discipline, while Guus Til of PSV and Quinten Timber of Marseille bring further creativity and work rate. Noah Lang, now with Galatasaray, and Mats Wieffer of Brighton and Hove Albion broaden the tactical choices available in midfield.

The forward line combines proven goalscorers and attacking flexibility. Memphis Depay of Corinthians remains one of the most recognizable names in the squad and continues to be a key attacking option. Cody Gakpo of Liverpool offers directness and productivity from wide areas, while Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth provides pace and technical ability. Brian Brobbey of Sunderland and Wout Weghorst of Ajax give the side different physical profiles up front, with Brobbey bringing power and Weghorst offering a more traditional target-man presence. Donyell Malen of AS Roma and Crysencio Summerville of West Ham United add speed and sharp movement, giving the Netherlands multiple ways to attack.

Overall, the squad shows the Netherlands’ continued strength in depth and the breadth of talent available to the national team. With players spread across many of Europe’s major leagues, the group brings together experience, athleticism and technical quality as the Dutch prepare for their next international challenge.