Wout Weghorst has been immediately removed from the Netherlands squad after a controversial lie on TV. The striker, who already faced criticism for his performances at the World Cup, allegedly lied during an interview with ESPN. This incident could mean he will never play for Oranje again.

What happened?

Weghorst spoke to ESPN about his plans to watch the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. He said he wouldn’t because it would hurt too much. Theo Janssen, who heard the statement, reacted strongly: 'This is nonsense. Every footballer watches that game. He’s doing this for show.' Janssen accused Weghorst of putting on an act for years.

Why it matters for Netherlands

Weghorst was already a controversial figure in the Netherlands team. His performances at the World Cup were poor, and he only played once. Netherlands eventually lost on penalties to Morocco (1-1 after extra time, 2026-06-30). With a record of 4 wins and 1 draw in the last 5 matches (DWWWW), the pressure is high to select strong players.

What comes next?

Weghorst's future with Oranje is uncertain. With the next match against Germany (home, 2026-09-24) on the schedule, Ronald Koeman must decide if he still has a role in the team. Many fans and experts believe this is the end for Weghorst with the Netherlands national team.