Depay in DUTCH World Cup squad, Frimpong out

THE HAGUE: Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has included Corinthians forward Memphis Depay in his World Cup squad announced on Wednesday, but Liverpool wing-back Jeremie Frimpong misses out.

Depay, who is the Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer with 55 goals, is short of match-fitness having only recently returned from a two-month injury-enforced absence.

The 32-year-old played 34 minutes on his return to Brazilian Serie A action last weekend.

He has endured a difficult year, scoring only once in 13 matches in 2026.

"I cannot leave out a player of his class if he is physically fit," said Koeman.

Frimpong, though, misses out after an indifferent first season in the Premier League in a struggling Liverpool side.

Several others are missing due to injury, such as Tottenham forward Xavi Simons, Manchester United centre-back Matthijs De Ligt and Inter Milan defender Stefan De Vrij.

Fifteen of Koeman's 26-man squad ply their trade in the Premier League, including captain Virgil van Dijk.

He is one of three Liverpool players in the squad, alongside Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, while Brighton are also represented by three players.

The Netherlands are in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. — AFP

Corinthians' Dutch forward #10 Memphis Depay controls the ball during the Copa Sudamericana group stage football match between Brazil's Corinthians and Colombia's America de Cali at the Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 6, 2025. — AFP

DUTCH SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Robin Roefs (Sunderland/ENG), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton/ENG),

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City/ENG), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/ENG), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan/ITA), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton/ENG), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal/ENG), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea/ENG), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool/ENG), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona/ESP), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth/ENG), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus/ITA), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City/ENG), Marten de Roon (Atalanta/ITA), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille/FRA), Mats Wieffer (Brighton/ENG)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland/ENG), Memphis Depay (Corinthians/BRA), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool/ENG), Noa Lang (Galatasaray/TUR), Donyell Malen (Roma/ITA), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham/ENG), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)