The Netherlands have unveiled a Premier League-heavy squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the growing influence of English football on the Dutch national setup ahead of the tournament.
Head coach Ronald Koeman has selected 15 players currently playing in the Premier League as part of his 26-man squad, with Liverpool contributing the largest contingent. Captain Virgil van Dijk has been included alongside club teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, although Bayer Leverkusen-bound Jeremie Frimpong misses out on selection.
The Dutch squad features strong defensive depth, particularly from England’s top flight. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has retained his place despite not featuring since March because of an ankle injury. He joins Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven, Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato, Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake in a defensive unit dominated by Premier League talent.
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Liverpool and Brighton heavily represented
Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion are among the clubs with the strongest representation in Koeman’s squad.
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has been selected alongside teammate Mats Wieffer, while Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs earns a maiden national team call-up despite not yet making his senior debut for the Netherlands.
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also finds a place in midfield alongside experienced names such as Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, and Marten de Roon.
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Our #FIFAWorldCup squad! 🌎🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/L5ZeoGhQHz
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) May 27, 2026
Familiar names make the cut
The Dutch are chasing their first World Cup title after finishing runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
The Netherlands squad features goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion, Mark Flekken of Bayer Leverkusen, and Robin Roefs of Sunderland. The defenders selected are Nathan Ake from Manchester City, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, Jorrel Hato of Chelsea, Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, Jurrien Timber of Arsenal, and Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur. In midfield, the squad includes Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool, Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus, Noah Lang from Galatasaray, Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City, Marten de Roon from Atalanta, Guus Til of PSV, Quinten Timber from Marseille, and Mats Wieffer of Brighton & Hove Albion. The forwards are Brian Brobbey of Sunderland, Memphis Depay from Corinthians, Cody Gakpo of Liverpool, Justin Kluivert from Bournemouth, Donyell Malen of AS Roma, Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United, and Wout Weghorst of Ajax.
