ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup The Netherlands will have goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and top scorer Memphis Depay both ready to play in the team's World Cup opener.
Coach Ronald Koeman said Saturday, on the eve of the Group F game against Japan, that his entire team is fit. That includes Verbruggen and Depay, though the coach wasn't ready to reveal his starting lineup.
The status of Verbruggen was in question after he hurt his hip in a collision during a tune-up match with Uzbekistan on Monday, and then was held out of training Wednesday. But Koeman said the keeper returned to full practice Friday and Saturday.
Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, dealt with a thigh injury for several weeks before playing for Brazilian club Corinthians on May 24. That was only three days before the 26-man Netherlands roster for the World Cup was set.
Koeman said Depay has looked good since the start of the team's tournament preparations.
“He is an important player, has been for a very long time,” Koeman said through an interpreter. “He's a key part to our possible success in this World Cup.”
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Join the ADU Resource Center of San Mateo County for a free webinar about ADU financing. Our… Read moreADU Funding For Homeowners
Bay Area soccer celebration! Live World Cup, games, meet Oakland Roots' Kendall McIntosh &am… Read moreBay Area World Cup Kickoff
Dirk van Ulden said:
Rick Bonilla said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.