Netherlands announces squad for Nations League — Depay dropped by Xavi; Van Bommel gets maiden call-up

Xavi Hernandez was appointed to replace Ronald Koeman and is the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Netherlands’ all-time topscorer Memphis Depay has been left out by new coach Xavi Hernandez’s for the upcoming Nations League matches.

Depay, who plays his club football with Corinthians in Brazil, has scored 55 goals for his country, with his last strike coming in November 2025, against Poland in a World Cup qualifier.

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Twente’s Wout Weghorst are some of the other major names missing from the 26-man roster.

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Meanwhile, Ruben van Bommel, son of former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel, has received a call-up alongside talented midfielder Gjivai Zechiel, who has scored five goals in six Eredivisie matches for Feyenoord this season.

Xavi was appointed to replace Ronald Koeman and is the first foreign boss of the Oranje in 48 years.

Netherlands plays Germany in Amsterdam on September 24 and three days later takes on Serbia in Belgrade. The team then travels to Thessaloniki to face Greece on October 1 and hosts Serbia in Eindhoven on October 4.

NETHERLANDS FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland).

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Fenerbahçe), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool), Lutsharel Geertruida (PSV Eindhoven), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham Hotspur), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Al-Qadsiah), Kenneth Taylor (Lazio), Quinten Timber (Crystal Palace), Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund), Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord).

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Ruben van Bommel (PSV), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (Napoli), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal)