The Spanish coach unveiled his first squad since taking charge of the Oranje, offering several clues about the direction he wants to take the team. There is room for young players, important returns and also some major decisions involving several of the national team's most experienced names.
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Xavi Hernández Unveils His First Netherlands Squad and Leaves Out Memphis Depay
The Xavi Hernández era with the Netherlands is beginning to take shape.
The most notable absence is Memphis Depay.
The Netherlands' all-time leading scorer, with 55 goals in 112 international appearances, was not included among the 26 players selected by Xavi to begin the UEFA Nations League campaign.
Wout Weghorst, Marten de Roon and Stefan de Vrij were also left out, while Kees Smit was unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury.
Xavi Begins the Netherlands Rebuild
Not every decision represents a complete break from the previous generation.
Virgil van Dijk, 35, will continue with the national team after questions emerged about his international future following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Liverpool defender will remain one of the Oranje's leading figures at the beginning of this new project.
Xavi has also recalled Joey Veerman, who had not played for the Netherlands since 2024, while Jurriën Timber, Jeremie Frimpong and Kenneth Taylor are also back in the squad.
However, the biggest new additions are Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël, both 22 years old and called up to the senior national team for the first time.
Zechiël arrives after an impressive start to the season with Feyenoord, while Van Bommel is once again making an impact with PSV after recovering from a serious knee injury.
The Special Story Behind Ruben van Bommel
Ruben van Bommel's call-up also carries a remarkable family connection.
His father, Mark van Bommel, made 79 appearances for the Netherlands, captained the national team and is currently the head coach of Belgium.
Now, father and son are beginning new chapters in international soccer at almost exactly the same time, but from completely different positions: Mark as Belgium's head coach and Ruben hoping to earn his first senior minutes with the Oranje.
The story even extends to a third generation. Bert van Marwijk, Ruben's maternal grandfather, was the coach who guided the Netherlands to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.
Germany Provides the First Test of the Xavi Era
The debut could hardly come against a more demanding opponent.
The Netherlands will begin its UEFA Nations League campaign against Germany on September 24 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
A trip to face Serbia will follow on September 27, before a match against Greece on October 1 and another meeting with Serbia, this time in Eindhoven, on October 4.
That means four matches in just 11 days, one of the reasons Xavi decided to work with a 26-man squad.
“A 26-player squad gives us enough flexibility and allows us to work specifically and properly assess every player,” the head coach explained.
Following his spell with FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández is now beginning his first experience as a national team head coach.
And his first squad already makes one thing clear: in this new Netherlands team, reputation or experience alone will not guarantee anyone a place.
Xavier Hernández Creus
Netherlands
