Netherlands names World Cup squad, debutant Mats Wieffer included

The Dutch national football team confirmed its roster ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Ajax striker Wout Weghorst named as the sole Ajax player in the squad. The team will play warm‑up matches against Algeria and Uzbekistan in Rotterdam before traveling to New York for a fixture against Uzbekistan, then opening the tournament with a game versus Japan.

Midfielder Mats Wieffer earned his first World Cup call‑up, replacing suspended right‑back Denzel Dumfries. The 26‑year‑old Brighton & Hove Albion player impressed during a short training camp in Zeist and secured a place alongside fellow Brighton players Bart Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke, who are also heading to the World Cup for the first time.

Coach Ronald Koeman highlighted the depth of competition in midfield and at right‑back, noting that Wieffer’s versatility helped him break into the final 26‑man list. The squad also features other Ajax internationals such as Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu for Japan, and Josip Suta for Croatia, underscoring the Dutch club’s continued contribution to the national team.