Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman selected only two players from the domestic Eredivisie league for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad [1].
The decision marks a historic low for home-based representation at a major tournament. By favoring players from international leagues, Koeman has signaled a strategic shift toward a squad composed of athletes playing in more competitive global environments.
The 26-man roster [2] was announced by the Dutch Football Association on Wednesday, May 22, 2026 [3]. Only forward Wout Weghorst of Ajax and midfielder Guus Til of PSV Eindhoven were named as representatives of the Dutch top flight [1].
This selection represents the fewest ever Eredivisie-based players included in a Dutch squad for a major international competition [4]. The overwhelming majority of the roster consists of players based abroad, a move intended to field the strongest possible team for the tournament [4].
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [5]. As the team prepares for the North American tournament, the lack of domestic presence highlights the growing trend of Dutch talent migrating to top European leagues early in their careers.
Koeman's strategy prioritizes experience in high-pressure foreign environments over the familiarity of the home league. While this approach maximizes the technical ceiling of the squad, it leaves the domestic league with minimal visibility on the world's largest sporting stage.
“Only two Eredivisie-based players were selected for the Netherlands' 26-man squad.”
The marginalization of Eredivisie players in the national team reflects a broader trend in European football where national managers increasingly view domestic leagues as developmental stepping stones rather than sources of elite-level readiness. By selecting only two domestic players, Koeman is betting that the intensity of foreign leagues is more critical for World Cup success than the synergy of players competing in the same local system.
