Bart Verbruggen Excluded from Netherlands Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Uncapped goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen has been selected for the Netherlands national squad as first-choice Bart Verbruggen withdraws from next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

Scherpen, who recently secured the Austrian Bundesliga title with Sturm Graz, has previously been called up as a backup due to injuries, though he is yet to earn his first cap for the Dutch side.

Verbruggen, who played for Brighton & Hove Albion as they triumphed 4-1 over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in their final Premier League match of the season, was reported by the Dutch football association to be “struggling with physical complaints and requiring time to recuperate” in the announcement of the 23-man squad.

Also absent from the squad is Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who is recovering from ankle surgery.

The Netherlands will kick off their quest to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals against Finland in Helsinki on June 7, followed by a home match against Malta in Groningen on June 10.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Kjell Scherpen (Sturm Graz)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam).