The Netherlands have handed a first senior call-up to goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen as part of their 23-man squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, following the withdrawal of first-choice stopper Bart Verbruggen.
Scherpen, who recently lifted the Austrian Bundesliga title with Sturm Graz, has previously been involved in the Dutch set-up as injury cover but is yet to earn his first cap. His inclusion comes after Verbruggen, who featured for Brighton & Hove Albion in their 4–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, was ruled out due to ongoing fitness concerns.
In a statement released on Monday, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed that Verbruggen is “struggling with physical complaints and needs time for the recovery process.”
The Netherlands will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup with an away fixture against Finland in Helsinki on 7 June, before hosting Malta in Groningen on 10 June.
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Also missing from the squad is Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who continues his recovery from recent ankle surgery.
Full Netherlands Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Kjell Scherpen (Sturm Graz)
Defenders:
Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders:
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Forwards:
Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).
