From the preliminary list, Koeman finalized 26 Dutch national team players for the 2026 World Cup during a press conference on 27/5.

The 63-year-old coach revealed his method of informing players cut from the final squad: "I called them on FaceTime. Kees Smit and Luciano Valente were in Zeist, so I spoke directly to them on the training ground this morning. For the remaining 12 players, I contacted them via FaceTime. As for the players who made the cut, I said nothing. They will find out the good news themselves."

Coach Ronald Koeman (right) and Wout Weghorst after the Netherlands lost to England in the Euro 2024 semifinals at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany on 10/7/2024. *Reuters*

The Netherlands squad still includes Memphis Depay, a forward recovering from injury who played the final 30 minutes of Corinthians' one-zero victory over Atletico Mineiro in the Brazilian national league on 24/5. Depay holds the record for 55 goals for the Netherlands and previously participated in the 2014, 2022 World Cups, and Euro 2020, 2024.

Koeman believes Depay can still play an important role for the national team, while admitting he had doubts about using the 32-year-old forward at Euro 2024. At that time, Depay faced fitness issues and left the field in the first half of the semifinal against England.

"I once wondered if I was right to start him in the first Euro match," Koeman said. "Maybe this time I will handle it differently. But Memphis can still be very important to us. I believe that through matches and training, he will regain his form."

Koeman also defended his decision to call up Wout Weghorst, the 33-year-old forward who scored 8 goals in 29 appearances for Ajax in the 2025-2026 season. The 63-year-old coach stated that Weghorst can still provide value at important moments for the national team. He also explained not calling up Zian Flemming, a forward who scored 11 goals for Burnley in the Premier League last season, because the player had not yet made a difference compared to the team's current attacking options.

Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup. *Bleacher*

In addition to Depay and Weghorst, the Netherlands squad features experienced key players such as captain Virgil van Dijk, midfielder Frenkie de Jong, and a host of Premier League stars including: goalkeepers Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton); defenders Nathan Ake (Man City), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham); midfielders Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Mats Wieffer (Brighton), Tijjani Reijnders (Man City); and forwards Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), and Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth).

Koeman also notably did not call up Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) and Joshua Zirkzee (Man Utd), while attacking midfielder Xavi Simons (Tottenham) is absent due to injury. Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig) and Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa) are on the reserve list to replace any injured players.

At the 2026 World Cup, the Netherlands is in Group F with Sweden, Japan, and Tunisia. Their best historical performance in the tournament was being runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010.

Hong Duy (according to De Telegraaf)