The FIFA World Cup 2022 is fast approaching, and all the participating nations are busy preparing their squads. On October 21, Louis van Gaal, the head coach of the Netherlands, revealed a preliminary squad of 39 players. Let's look at the players who were named to the Dutch roster.
Netherlands preliminary squad for Qatar World Cup 2022
All the participating teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022 have to name their final 26-man squads by November 14. Before that, teams can announce their provisional squad to construct their final roster for the mega event.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Participating countries, venues, full group phase fixtures
The Netherlands team’s head coach, Louis van Gaal, declared a preliminary squad where he called up 39 players. There were some surprises in the squad as Mitchel Bakker, Xavi Simons and Micky van de Ven were called up for the first time. Sven Botman, Jeremie Frimpong, and Pascal Struijk, who were previously called up but yet to make a debut for the national side, were also called up. Apart from that, all the expected names found a place in the roster.
Netherlands 39-man provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Andries Noppert, Remko Pasveer, Justin Bijlow, Jasper Cillessen, Mark Flekken
Defenders: Jeremie Frimpong, Tyrell Malacia, Devyne Rensch, Pascal Struijk, Jurrien Timber, Nathan Ake, Mitchel Bakker, Daley Blind, Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk
Midfielders: Teun Koopmeiners, Xavi Simons, Kenneth Taylor, Guus Til, Steven Berghuis, Jordy Clasie, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, Ryan Gravenberch, Davy Klaassen
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey, Luuk de Jong, Vincent Janssen, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Wout Weghorst, Arnaut Danjuma, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo
Read: Technologies set to amaze at Qatar Football World Cup 2022
The Netherlands have long been recognized as one of the best footballing nations in the world and the World Cup's unluckiest team. Despite participating in the finals of the 1974, 1978, and 2010 World Cups, the Dutch national men's football team has never taken home the trophy.
The current Dutch team is not considered one of the strong favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2022. However, as the competition goes on, they might become a dangerous force. One of the most seasoned and well-respected coaches in the world is their head coach, Louis van Gaal. He has a big job on hand to make a strong team from the preliminary squad for the upcoming football World Cup in Qatar.