Oranje squad named for World Cup qualifiers; Sem Steijn earns first call-up
The Oranje squad has been announced for their two World Cup qualification matches in September. Sem Steijn and Robin Roefs have been included for the first time, while Memphis Depay, who was a doubt due to injury concerns, has also been named by manager Ronald Koeman.
It is a just reward for Steijn, who was recently made the team captain of Feyenoord by his manager Robin Van Persie, having joined the club last summer from FC Twente. Steijn finished as the top scorer of the Eredivisie last season for the club from Enschede.
Roefs will likely be coming into the squad as the third-choice keeper for the games against Poland and Lithuania. The 22-year-old recently joined the English Premier League club Sunderland from NEC Nijmegen after a successful season in the Eredivisie. Roefs has started both games for the newly promoted side thus far this season.
It may be a memorable few games for Memphis Depay. The forward returned to the training pitch for his team, Corinthians, this week after suffering an injury. He is currently level with Robin van Persie as the player who has scored the most goals for Oranje. Depay needs just one goal to become the all-time top scorer for the national side.
There is just one other striker in the squad, with Wout Weghorst being Oranje’s only alternative to Depay. Both Quinten and Jurrien Timber were included in the squad. Xavi Simons, who is about to finalize a 60 million euros transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, is also in Koeman’s squad.
Oranje will face their toughest opponent in the qualifying group G, Poland, on Thursday, September 4, before facing Lithuania three days later. Oranje have won both of their qualifying games thus far, scoring 10 goals and have yet to concede. They are currently a point behind Finland in second place, with the Finnish side having played two games more.
The top team in the group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The second-place side will advance to the playoffs.
