Dutch team for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifications: Striker Meerdink gets the first call-up

Mexx Meerdink has received a first call-up in the Netherlands, because it seems to find extra striking options for this month’s qualifications.

Coach Ronald Koeman mentioned the 22-year-old from AZ Alkmaar on Friday in a 24-man team for group G qualifications against Malta in Ta ‘Qali on Thursday and Finland in Amsterdam on October 12.

Meerdink comes in the team as cover because the Dutch record goal scorer Memphis Depay has only played 45 minutes for his Brazilian Club Corinthians since the qualifications last month, where he set a new figure of 52 goals for the national team.

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Depay is in the team, but Feyenoord striker Sem Steijn, who made his debut as a replacement in the last match against Lithuania, is not retained, while there is no call-up for Brian Brobbey, who has only had two short replacement appearances in the Premier League since Sunderland.

There is a return after an absence of almost two years for Quilindschy Hartman, who won the last of his four caps in November 2023. He moved to Burnley from Feyenoord at the start of the season.

The Netherlands is at the top of the group with 10 points from four games, with Poland haunting target difference but played one more match. After five games, Finland is third with seven points, for Lithuania on three and bottom Malta, with two.

The group winner is eligible for next year’s World Cup in Noord -America.

Published on October 3, 2025