Xavi names 25-man Netherlands squad with De Jong back from injury

Head coach Xavi Hernández has named a 25-player Netherlands squad for the Nations League matches against Greece and Germany, with Frenkie de Jong returning and several regulars missing.

Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández announced his 25-man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches on Friday. The group must guide the team to the finals phase, with a significant return for Frenkie de Jong. The team's next fixture is at home to Greece on Saturday 13 November.

The Barcelona midfielder returns to the selection after an injury absence. Xavi, however, is without a series of regulars. Ryan Gravenberch, Jorrel Hato, Nathan Aké, Jeremie Frimpong and Memphis Depay are all unavailable due to fitness issues. Joshua Zirkzee, who scored the winning goal against Serbia (2-1) in September, is also not called up this time. In the most recent match, the 2-1 win over Serbia on 4 October, it was Teun Koopmeiners and Zirkzee who found the net.

Notable names and absentees

Alongside De Jong, left-back Ian Maatsen also returns. The Aston Villa defender last played internationally in 2025. Xavi admitted he made a mistake by not calling forward Guus Til sooner. "I sat wrong, I should have called Guus directly," the coach said. In attack, there is a chance for young AZ striker Mexx Meerdink. "Meerdink made a good impression overall and decided the away match against Serbia with two goals (1-2)," Xavi explained.

The squad features three goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Robin Roefs (Sunderland) and Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen). The defence consists of Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid), Lutsharel Geertruida and Ruben van Bommel (both PSV), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven (both Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) and the returning Maatsen. Van Dijk was also on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Greece on 1 October.

Alongside De Jong, the midfield is formed by Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Al-Qadsiah), Quinten Timber (Crystal Palace) and Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord). Reijnders scored the late equaliser in that same match in Greece. Up front, Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Til, Crysencio Summerville (Al Hilal), Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Napoli) and Meerdink provide the options.

The Netherlands lead their Nations League group with eight points, three ahead of both Germany and Greece. The team is unbeaten in its last four matches (two wins, two draws), including a 2-1 win over Serbia and a 2-2 draw in Greece. This unbeaten run of four games began with a 1-1 home draw against Germany on 24 September, followed by a 1-2 away win in Serbia three days later. The final group stage fixture is three days later in Berlin against Germany.