Louis van Gaal has revealed the Dutch men's national team that will represent the nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The 26-man squad includes 14 players who play their club football abroad and 12 who play in Holland, with seven from Eredivisie champions Ajax, two players are in line for a possible international debut.
The shock news of the selection, however, is the exclusion of NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. The former Ajax man was Oranje's first-choice goalkeeper during their last World Cup appearance in 2014 but he will miss a third consecutive major tournament after testing positive for coronavirus ahead of EURO 2020.
The 33-year-old and Mark Flek ultimately fell short in a tough battle with Justin Bijlow, Andries Noppert and Remko Pasveer for the three available spots in the squad.
Elsewhere, PSV midfielder Xavi Simons receives his maiden callup to the Oranje squad in recognition of the 19-year-old’s impressive form since returning to his homeland for more first team football. Jeremie Frimpong also makes the cut following his wonderful performances for Bayer Leverkusen, the right wing-back will be sealing his international allegiance to his country of birth.
In terms of individual clubs, Ajax unsurprisingly have the highest representation with seven players including Pasveer, Jurriën Timber, Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor and Steven Bergwijn all set to feature in Qatar. League leaders PSV are next with three players.
Regular stalwarts Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay are some of the players at top clubs set to lead the nation’s hopes.
The final list needs to be submitted to FIFA no later than Sunday 13 November as adjustments are allowed in case of injuries to listed players. In that case, a swap must be announced at least 24 hours before the Netherlands take on Senegal on 21 November in Doha.
A maximum of 26 players, including 23 outfield players, and three goalkeepers are allowed in the final World Cup squads, and last minute changes due to injuries must come from the provisional 39-man roster.
The Netherlands’ 2022 World Cup squad in full;
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen), Remko Pasveer (Ajax).
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Daley Blind (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielder: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Xavi Simons (PSV), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax).
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas), Noa Lang (Club Brugge).
