Injured Depay called up by Koeman for World Cup qualifier against Malta

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was forced to make different choices with Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst not fully fit, though both are still included in the squad, as the Oranje prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Finland.

In fact, Koeman has handed a first call-up to Mexx Meerdink of AZ Alkmaar.

All-time top scorer Memphis Depay has only featured in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinal since the last international break, missing Corinthians’ last four matches with a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, Koeman trusts in the fitness of his star forward.

According to the Netherlands’ ESPN, pundits have been calling for the inclusion of Emanuel Emegha, who missed last summer’s U21 European Championship through injury. The 22-year-old striker, currently captain of RC Strasbourg, was sidelined on Thursday’s Conference League fixture with a hamstring issue. Emegha, who will join Chelsea this summer for a big-money move, was therefore not an option.

That opened the door for Meerdink. The AZ striker last appeared for the Netherlands at U17 level, having been overlooked this summer by U21 coach Michael Reiziger. Now he earns his senior debut. Meanwhile, Brian Brobbey has made a slow start at Sunderland and misses out.

Quinten Timber was absent for Feyenoord’s clash with Aston Villa, with coach Robin van Persie describing him as a doubt for this weekend. Still, the midfielder has been called up. At the back, Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong, who missed the last internationals through injury, is fit again and returns to the squad.

There is no place for Noa Lang, who has seen little game time at Napoli and drops out as a result. In contrast, Quilindschy Hartman earns a recall after impressing during his early months at Burnley.

In goal, Koeman has kept faith with the same trio – Bart Verbruggen, Mark Flekken, and Robin Roefs, who all first-choice keepers at their clubs. Roefs, who made his debut in the last international break, has been in such fine form for Sunderland that he has even been nominated for Player of the Month.

The Netherlands face Malta away on Thursday, October 9, before hosting Finland at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday, October 12. Oranje currently sit level with Poland in the group following their recent draw, but hold the advantage of a game in hand.

SQUAD
Nathan Aké (Manchester City, England), Memphis Depay (Corinthians, Brazil) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, England), Denzel Dumfries (Inter, Italy), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool, England), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool, England), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool, England), Quilindschy Hartman (Burnley, England), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona, Spain), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth, England), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa, England), Mexx Meerdink (AZ), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City, England), Robin Roefs (Sunderland, England), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal, England), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Stefan de Vrij (Inter, Italy), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).