The Netherlands national team squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures was announced without Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange, as Football Club de Marseille reported.
Netherlands Squad Selection Leaves Out Marseille Goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange
Head coach Xavi Hernández opted against including Jeffrey de Lange in his squad for the upcoming fixtures. De Lange has established himself as the starting goalkeeper at Marseille under manager Bruno Genesio following the departure of Geronimo Rulli to Manchester City. While recent weeks have yielded consecutive clean sheets and encouraging performances in Ligue 1 and European competition, the Dutch coaching staff maintained the existing goalkeeping hierarchy.
Established Competition in the Oranje Goalkeeping Ranks
The Oranje squad features three familiar faces between the posts who retained their places from the previous international gathering: Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion, Robin Roefs of Sunderland, and Mark Flekken of Bayer Leverkusen. Foot Mercato noted that Verbruggen and Roefs play regularly in the Premier League, while Flekken competes in the Bundesliga. This heavy concentration of players in top European leagues leaves limited room for newcomers in the Dutch selection.
De Lange’s Long-Term International Ambitions at Marseille
When De Lange was introduced by Marseille on August 14, 2024, he acknowledged in an interview with L’Équipe that representing his country remained a personal goal. He noted at the time that moving to a major club would improve his visibility, while pointing out areas for personal development such as aerial duels and positioning. Le Phocéen highlighted that regular minutes at the Stade Vélodrome remain his primary vehicle for catching the attention of the national team staff.
Frenkie de Jong Returns Alongside Former Marseille Midfielder Quinten Timber
Yahoo Actualités detailed several major inclusions in the Dutch roster, most notably the return of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong following a knee injury sustained at the World Cup. The squad also features Quinten Timber, a midfielder who spent time at Marseille between January and August 2026. The Netherlands enters the final stretch of group play holding eight points from four matches, tied at the top of their group with Greece.
Upcoming Nations League Fixtures in Amsterdam and Berlin
The Oranje are scheduled to face Greece on November 13, 2026, in Amsterdam before traveling to Germany to face the Mannschaft on November 16, 2026, in Berlin. De Lange will watch these fixtures from afar as Verbruggen, Flekken, and Roefs contest the playing time for the Netherlands.
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