PSV midfielder Xavi Simons has been included in the Orange squad for the first time. The group that national coach Louis van Gaal has put together consists of no fewer than 39 players. They are eligible for the final selection that will go to the World Cup in Qatar in a month’s time. Arnaut Danjuma from Oss is back in the selection.
The provisional list includes almost every level of Dutch footballer. PSV midfielder Joey Veerman is missing, however.
According to Louis van Gaal, that large list was necessary. “It is known that the players we choose for the final selection next month should already be on this provisional list. Because no one can see into the future, you have to be prepared for possible setbacks, such as injuries.”
The deadline for the final World Cup selection of 26 players is on Sunday 13 November, in principle Van Gaal will announce his names on 11 November.
For the Netherlands, the World Cup starts on Monday, November 21 against Senegal. After that, the Orange has to face Ecuador (November 25) and Qatar (November 29).
The Brabant pros on the list:
- Luuk de Jong – PSV
- Cody Gakpo – PSV
- Guus Til – PSV
- Xavi Simons – PSV
- Arnaut Danjuma – Villareal
- Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
- Vincent Janssen – Antwerp