Oranje Unveils Squad for Norway and Ecuador Friendlies

Coach Ronald Koeman announced squad

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman names 26-man squad for World Cup warm-up matches against Norway and Ecuador, featuring debutant Kees Smit and returning Brian Brobbey.

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey returns to Netherlands squad after a year, joining AZ's Kees Smit, who gets his first call-up...

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey is back in the Netherlands squad after a year, joining AZ's young talent Kees Smit, who received his first-ever call-up. Manager Ronald Koeman is dealing with a slew of injuries, including Frenkie de Jong, Robin Roefs, and Justin Kluivert, which led to Brobbey's return and Smit's maiden selection.

Koeman had previously hinted that Smit was a strong contender for the World Cup squad, and now he's getting the chance to prove himself. Brobbey, on the other hand, is replacing injured Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs in the squad. The Netherlands will face Norway on March 27 and Ecuador on March 31 in their World Cup warm-up matches 

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has called up several players despite their physical difficulties, including all-time top scorer Memphis Depay, who is struggling with a knee injury that kept him out of Friday's game against Chapecoense. Bayer Leverkusen's Mark Flekken, who last played on January 17th, is also in the squad, along with Arsenal's Jurriën Timber, who was injured in the 2-1 win against Everton last weekend.

Other notable inclusions are Noa Lang, who picked up a freak injury during Galatasaray's 4-0 loss at Anfield last Wednesday and had surgery on his thumb on Thursday. The official diagnosis of Lang's injury is still pending.

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey is back in the Netherlands squad for the first time since March 2025, when he featured against Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. Brobbey, an 8-time international, is joined by AZ's young gun Kees Smit, who received his maiden call-up after a stellar season: 4 goals and 8 assists, with 4 of those assists coming in the UEFA Conference League. Smit, valued at €50 million, was also Player of the Tournament at last summer's Under-19 European Championships.

The Netherlands is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they've got some exciting friendlies lined up! They're facing Norway on March 27th and Ecuador on March 31st, as part of their preparations for the tournament. The Dutch team, led by Ronald Koeman, will be looking to fine-tune their skills before taking on Japan, Tunisia, and a European qualifier in Group F.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Justin Bijlow (Genoa), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurriën Timber

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Luciano Valente (Feyenoord), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Quinten Timber (Olympique Marseille), Kees Smit (AZ), 

Forwards: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Xavi Simons (Tottenham Hotspur), Wout Weghorst (Ajax), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)

ORANJE, MARCH 2026 🇳🇱

Welcome to the squad, Kees Smit! 🦁#NothingLikeOranje #NEDNOR #NEDECU pic.twitter.com/EmoCJeLnvb

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 20, 2026