Juventus midfielder Koopmeiners dropped by Netherlands for World Cup qualifier

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 4:38 AM ET

Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners will not be involved for the Netherlands in their World Cup qualifier against Poland on Thursday evening, as he is one of two players who have not been included in Ronald Koeman’s matchday squad.

Koopmeiners was one of 25 players to be called up for national team duty by the Netherlands for September’s international break. The Netherlands will play Poland on Thursday night and Lithuania on Sunday, both in qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

As these fixtures are World Cup qualifiers, rather than friendlies, national teams are only permitted to name 23 players in their matchday squad.

Koopmeiners dropped by Netherlands for Poland qualifier

That meant that Koemann had to leave two players out of the 25 players he decided to call up. Koopmeiners is one of them, as is 23-year-old Feyenoord midfielder Sam Steijn.

According to reports from Ilbianconero, Koeman’s decision to drop Koopmeiners was a technical choice rather than one relating to fitness or injuries.

The Bianconeri midfielder had missed some of Juve’s pre-season preparations in June after an injury, but has since returned to full fitness and has featured in both of the club’s first two Serie A matches of the season, albeit from the bench rather than as a starter.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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