Depay in Netherlands squad for World Cup, Frimpong left out

Netherlands’players, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Cody Gakpo, rear row from left, and Tijjani Reijnders, Jurrien Timber, Xavi Simons, Memphis Depay and Donyell Malen, front row from left, pose for a team photo prior to a World Cup 2026 group G qualifying soccer match between Netherlands and Lithuania in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

ZEIST, Netherlands (AP) — Netherlands top scorer Memphis Depay recovered from injury just in time for coach Ronald Koeman to include him in his 26-man squad for the World Cup next month.

Depay was one of three players who have recently returned from injury to be selected Wednesday by Koeman. That was despite his limited playing time leading into soccer’s global showcase being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, on Sunday made his first appearance in several weeks for his Brazilian club Corinthians after recovering from a thigh injury.

“I’d have preferred ... it happened earlier,” Koeman said, adding he’d have to “wait and see” just how fit Depay is.

If Depay struggles for fitness, Koeman also has in-form Roma forward Donyell Malen.

Justin Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert , has also just returned to fitness after surgery to repair a knee injury and was picked along with defender Jurrien Timber, fresh from winning the Premier League with Arsenal, but also only recently returned to fitness. Timber’s brother Quinten also was named in the squad.