Dutch selection for friendly matches before the World Cup: de Vrij, Hato return to the selection; Timber, including Lang, despite injuries


The Netherlands have included 20-year-old midfielder Kees Smit in their squad for the first time as coach Ronald Koeman unveiled a 26-man squad for friendly internationals on Friday later this month.

Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, defenders Stefan de Vrij and Jorrel Hato, midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and striker Brian Brobbey all return to the squad for the World Cup warm-up matches against Norway in Amsterdam on March 27 and Ecuador in Eindhoven on March 31.

Koeman had previously hinted that AZ Alkmaar’s Smit was a strong contender for a place in the Dutch World Cup squad and he will now get the chance to showcase his potential.

However, Hato is a surprising choice given Chelsea’s lack of playing time. He and De Vrij replace Premier League defenders Lutsharel Geertruida and Quilindschy Hartman.

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Brobbey has been called up for the first time in a year, while Bijlow, who found form at Genoa after leaving Feyenoord, replaces Robin Roefs from Sunderland in the selection.

Roefs is out with injury ⁠along with Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Justin Kluivert.

Jurrien Timber and Noa Lang have also suffered recent injuries as Lang required surgery on his right thumb after sustaining a serious injury following a collision with the billboards while playing for Turkish side Galatasaray in Wednesday’s 4-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool, but both are in the squad.

Dutch selection for practice matches prior to the World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Genoa), Mark ‌Fleken (Bayer Leverkusen), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil ⁠van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion) ufdh.

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur), Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar), Quinten Timber (Olympique de Marseille), Luciano Valente (Feyenoord)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Jeremy Frimpong, Cody Gakpo (both Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam).

Published on March 20, 2026



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