Euro 2024

Netherlands announce Euro 2024 squad - Who makes the cut? Which stars have missed out?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 May 2024

Netherlands announce their 26-player squad ahead of Euro 2024 this summer, but who has made the cut and which star names have been left out?

Netherlands have confirmed their 25-man squad ahead of participating at Euro 2024.

UEFA confirmed earlier this month that squad sizes have been increased from 23 to 26 players for this year's eagerly-anticipated continental tournament, and all squads must include at least three goalkeepers.

Ronald Koeman is still trying to impress in the Netherlands dugout having recorded seven victories and five defeats from his 12 matches in all competitions.

Nevertheless, he is tasked with the responsibility of ending the 36-year wait for another major trophy, beginning the tournament with a group that contains France, Austria and Poland.

Koeman initially selected a preliminary squad of 30 players, but on May 29, that was reduced to 26, with some notable names missing out, before a high-profile player also joined that list.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, who has been selected and who are the unfortunate players to miss out.

Netherlands' Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring their second goal with Lutsharel Geertruida and Virgil van Dijk on March 22, 2024 © Reuters

Which Dutch stars have been selected?

Led by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, there are plenty of the usual suspects in the Netherlands squad, with as many as eight representatives from the Premier League.

Manchester City's Nathan Ake is another headline name in the squad, while Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven has been included despite having earned just the two caps.

Despite enduring a mixed campaign with Liverpool, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch earns a spot in Koeman's ranks, with domestic teammate Cody Gakpo being selected in attack.

Mark Flekken and Bart Verbruggen - of Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively - are two of three goalkeepers named, along with Justin Biljow.

Other star names in the squad include Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt,, Paris Saint-Germain's Xavi Simons and Atletico Madrid's Memphis Depay.

Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring against Inter Milan on October 7, 2023 © Reuters

Which Dutch stars will miss Euro 2024?

Koeman chose to drop Nick Olij, Ian Maatsen, Marten de Roon and Quinten Timber when omitting four players from his original squad of 30.

However, there were already several star names who may have hoped to work their way into the squad that missed out.

Young Ajax defender Jorrel Hato also misses out, not helped by his team's poor form during 2023-24, while no risks have been taken on Arsenal defender Jorrel Hato, who has not made a first-team appearance since August due to a serious knee injury.

Emerging Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer is also left out, as is club teammate Calvin Stengs despite three goals from his eight Netherlands appearances.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been in the squad, only to be eventually ruled out due to failing to recover from an ankle injury.

A day later, it was revealed that Teun Koopmeiners had been forced to withdraw with a groin issue sustained during the warm-up before a friendly with Iceland. Maatsen has subsequently regained his place in the group.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman reacts on March 22, 2024 © Reuters

What are the Netherlands' pre-tournament preparations?

Despite the injuries, Netherlands' on-the-field preparations could not have gone much better with 4-0 victories being recorded over Canada and Iceland respectively.

Their first Group D fixture takes place against Poland on June 16.

Netherlands' 26-man squad for Euro 2024:

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq), Ian Maatsen (Chelsea)

Attackers: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim), Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna)

Group and fixtures

Euro 2024 Group D (21/06)

June 16: Poland 1-2 Netherlands (2pm | Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)
June 21: Netherlands 0-0 France (8pm | Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig)
June 25: Netherlands vs. Austria (5pm | Olympiastadion, Berlin)