Netherlands take World Cup gamble on Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber as Liverpool star misses out
Netherland announced their World Cup squad on Wednesday, and one Liverpool player was a surprise omission
www.independent.co.ukHere’s the latest I can share on the Netherlands World Cup squad based on recent reporting up to May 27, 2026.
Direct answer
- The Netherlands announced their World Cup squad with Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber among the selections, while Jeremie Frimpong was left out. Depay remains the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands, and Timber’s inclusion came despite recent injury concerns.[1][4]
Context and notable points
- Depay’s participation is notable given thigh/calf injuries and limited match minutes for Corinthians ahead of the tournament, but Koeman kept him in the squad as a key attacking option.[1]
- Timber, who had fitness concerns and had recently returned to Arsenal training, is included as a right-back option alongside established names like Dumfries. His selection marks a gamble on his fitness ahead of the tournament.[4][1]
- Veteran centre-back Stefan de Vrij was not included due to a thigh injury sustained near the end of the season, which influenced defensive choices for Koeman.[1]
- The final 26-man squad also featured some surprise inclusions and omissions, including uncapped or less-experienced players in other positions, and the omission of Jeremie Frimpong drew significant attention given his form at Liverpool.[4]
Additional context (for broader perspective)
- Several outlets published full squad lists and predicted lineups around this period, noting that Koeman was weighing fitness and form as key factors and that some players returning from injury faced tough selection decisions.[6][7][8]
- Other outlets provided broader previews of depth charts and potential starting XI, highlighting the midfield options and the challenge of replacing injured or unavailable creative players earlier in the year.[3][6]
Illustrative example
- Possible starting XI discussions often center on: Verbruggen in goal; Dumfries and Timber as full-backs depending on fitness; Van Dijk and Van Hecke or Van de Ven pairing in central defense; De Jong and Gravenberch in midfield; Lang or Reijnders in midfield/attack roles; Gakpo and Depay/Malen in the forward line, with Malen or Kluivert in support depending on availability.
Would you like a concise table comparing the confirmed squad members with the notable omissions, or a quick breakdown of each position and the理由 Koeman cited (fitness, form, tactical balance)? I can also pull latest updates from a few outlets and present them with citations.