Netherlands World Cup 2026 Squad — All 26 Players Named by Ronald Koeman

Xavi Simons out — the biggest blow before a ball has been kicked

Xavi Simons is out with a serious knee injury and it is hard to overstate how significant that is. He was expected to be the creative hub of this Netherlands side — the player who makes things happen between the lines, who turns defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Koeman has had to reorganise his entire midfield without him and it has made an already thin creative department look even thinner. Holland could still go far in this tournament but they will do it without their best player.

Memphis Depay at 31 — carrying the load from Brazil

Memphis Depay leads the attack at 31, now playing in Brazil at Corinthians — an unusual situation for a player at a World Cup. He is the Netherlands' all-time record scorer and still has moments of genuine quality. His best days at club level feel behind him, but tournament football has always suited Depay differently. He turns up when the lights are brightest. Whether he has enough left to do it again here is the central question hanging over this squad.

Jurrien Timber included despite fitness concerns

Jurrien Timber had an anxious wait but Koeman included him. If fit, he is one of the best defenders in Europe — comfortable on the ball, aggressive in the press, able to play across the entire back line. The Arsenal man brings a level of quality that few defenders in this squad can match. That if is doing a lot of heavy lifting though. If he is not fully fit he becomes a liability, and Koeman will have to manage him carefully through the group stage.

De Jong, Gravenberch and Reijnders — the engine room without Simons

Frenkie de Jong captains the midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders. Three genuinely top-class midfielders gives Holland a real engine room even without Simons. Gravenberch has been outstanding at Liverpool this season. Reijnders moved to Manchester City and never stopped. De Jong, when fit and in form, is among the best midfielders in world football. The problem is none of them are the type of player Simons was — the penetrative number ten who could unlock a low block. That gap has not been filled.

Frimpong at right back — electric, dangerous, a real weapon

Jeremie Frimpong has switched from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool and he brings pure electricity to this Dutch side. One of the most dynamic wide players in world football, his ability to bomb forward and create from deep at right back is a genuine weapon. His partnership with Van Dijk on the right side of defence could be devastating going forward. In a tournament where space opens up in the knockouts, Frimpong could be the player that makes the Netherlands genuinely difficult to stop.

Group F: Japan, Sweden and Tunisia — tighter than it should have been

The Netherlands are in Group F with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. On paper that is a manageable group. But the Simons injury makes it tighter than it should have been. Japan are organised and dangerous on the counter. Sweden have Gyokeres and Isak up front and under Graham Potter they have become a proper team. Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo give Holland enough quality to get through, but a slip could happen. Nothing about this group is a formality.

Three World Cup finals, zero trophies — this squad can't end that wait

Holland have been to three World Cup finals and never won. 1974, 1978 and 2010 all ended in heartbreak. This squad, talented as it is, does not look like it has enough to end that wait. Losing Simons before the tournament started took away their ceiling. Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo give them a floor but the genuinely exciting possibility of what this team could have been has been replaced by questions. They might reach the quarters. They might go further. But lifting the trophy on July 19 feels like a stretch.

Who is in the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad?

Ronald Koeman named a 26-man Netherlands squad for World Cup 2026. The squad contains three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards. Virgil van Dijk captains the side. The biggest absentee is Xavi Simons, ruled out with a knee injury.

Is Virgil van Dijk in the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad?

Yes. Virgil van Dijk is in the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad and captains the side. The Liverpool centre-back has been one of the best defenders in the world for the past decade and leads the Dutch into the tournament at 34.

Why is Xavi Simons not in the Netherlands World Cup squad?

Xavi Simons was ruled out of the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad with a serious knee injury. He suffered it late in the season and was unable to recover in time. His absence is considered the biggest blow to Holland's tournament hopes before a ball was even kicked.

Who is the Netherlands captain at World Cup 2026?

Virgil van Dijk is the Netherlands captain at World Cup 2026. The Liverpool centre-back has captained the national side for several years and is leading the squad at 34.

What group are the Netherlands in at World Cup 2026?

The Netherlands are in Group F at World Cup 2026 alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.

Is Frenkie de Jong in the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad?

Yes. Frenkie de Jong is in the Netherlands World Cup 2026 squad. The Barcelona midfielder captains the midfield and is one of the most important players in the side alongside Gravenberch and Reijnders.