Memphis Depay — Netherlands' all-time top scorer with 55 international goals — hasn't made Xavi Hernandez's first squad. That's a statement pick right there, whether Xavi intended it as one or not.
The omission lands hard. Depay's last international goal came in November 2025 against Poland in a World Cup qualifier, but his move to Corinthians in Brazil has clearly put him on the periphery. Distance from Europe's top leagues has a way of making coaches forget about you fast. Xavi, who knows something about what elite club football demands, appears to have made his call early.
Other big names left at home
Depay isn't alone on the outside. Frenkie de Jong and Wout Weghorst are also absent from the 26-man roster — two players who've been regulars in recent Dutch setups. That's a meaningful reset, not just a rotation. Xavi is clearly shaping this group in his own image from matchday one.
The fresh face drawing attention is Ruben van Bommel — son of former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel — who earns his first call-up alongside Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiël, who has scored five goals in six Eredivisie matches this season. Zechiël's form makes him a genuine selection, not a token one. At that scoring rate from midfield, he's hard to ignore.
Xavi himself is a notable appointment — the first foreign coach of the Oranje in 48 years, brought in to replace Ronald Koeman. His debut fixtures are steep: Germany in Amsterdam on September 24, then Serbia away in Belgrade on September 27, before facing Greece in Thessaloniki on October 1 and hosting Serbia again in Eindhoven on October 4. Netherlands' early Nations League odds will hinge heavily on how this unfamiliar setup clicks in those opening two matches.
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)
Depay's international record — 55 goals, more than any Dutch player in history — used to make him automatic. Under Xavi, it doesn't even get him through the door.
