Oranje Squad Selection Puts De Jong Back in the Spotlight
The Netherlands sits at the summit of Group 2 with eight points from four matches, tied with Greece on points and with Greece second on goal difference. Into that standings battle steps Frenkie de Jong, named by Xavi Hernández in a 25-man squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Germany.
The selection marks the second squad named by the Spanish coach since taking charge of the Oranje, following an initial block of matches across September and October. It also sets up a reunion for the manager and midfielder. For De Jong, the call-up ends an absence that kept him out of the previous international window while he completed his recovery from a knee injury sustained during the last FIFA World Cup.
A Long Road Back to Match Fitness at Barcelona
The path back to the national team involved a lengthy rehabilitation process following the global tournament. The 29-year-old midfielder told NOS that the recovery period was long and difficult, though he felt more certain about healing from this knee problem than from a previous ankle injury.
Oranje 🦁🇳🇱 – November 2026. pic.twitter.com/FJWwKeiLUf
After returning to action for FC Barcelona, De Jong accumulated minutes in his last three appearances across all competitions. He played 16 minutes against Real Madrid, 82 minutes against Alavés, and 20 minutes against Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League. De Jong expects to join up with the national team camp in a week and a half.
De Jong Reveals Surprise over Xavi Appointment
The appointment of Xavi as Netherlands coach surprised De Jong. He revealed to NOS that he received a direct phone call from Xavi before the announcement became official.
“He called me before, it was nice to know that he was considering it,” De Jong said, noting that the choice of a foreign coach came as a surprise after a long time without one. Dutch supporters hope the team will return to its usual level under Xavi, whose positional-possession and pressing approach follows the style of Johan Cruyff. De Jong expressed confidence in the tactical fit, saying the manager’s commitment to pressing and attacking principles aligns well with the national squad’s requirements.
Club Cautiousness Meets International Leadership Decisions
Barcelona remains watchful over player workloads during the international break. The club wants to handle De Jong’s physical integration carefully given his history of delicate fitness issues, while Hansi Flick has expressed concern about workload management, including Raphinha’s call-up for Brazil.
🚨 | 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Frenkie de Jong has been called up by Xavi for Netherlands upcoming Nations League games. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/yxyMpH46o7
At the same time, Xavi faces a related decision regarding leadership roles within the Oranje squad. He will have to address whether De Jong again forms part of the group of captains. With Virgil van Dijk as the first option, Xavi emphasized that the squad’s leaders would begin to be formed during this November window. The squad will travel to face Greece at home before concluding the group stage away against Germany.
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