Eindhoven – Joey Veerman, the dynamic midfielder for PSV, appears increasingly unlikely to feature in the Netherlands’ squad for the upcoming World Cup. Despite a strong season with the Eredivisie leaders, Veerman has once again been overlooked by national team coach Ronald Koeman for the upcoming international fixtures, fueling speculation about a deeper issue between the player and the manager.
Veerman Left Out in the Cold Ahead of Crucial Summer
The 27-year-old Veerman was not included in Koeman’s latest squad announcement, a decision that has sparked debate among Dutch football fans and pundits. Journalist Jeroen Kapteijns of De Telegraaf reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Veerman can “already book a vacation for June,” as his exclusion suggests a definitive complete to his World Cup aspirations. Kapteijns also noted the surprising inclusion of goalkeeper Markus Flekken, despite the Leverkusen player’s recent two-month absence due to injury and lack of recent match fitness.
According to Kapteijns, the situation appears unlikely to change before the summer tournament. “I suspect that will only be on the table if there is a change of guard at Oranje,” he wrote, referencing the possibility of Koeman’s departure after the World Cup, as his current contract is set to expire. The KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) and Koeman will evaluate the future direction of the national team following the tournament.
Koeman’s Preference for Other Midfield Options
Maarten Wijffels of the Algemeen Dagblad echoed this sentiment, stating that Veerman’s status remains unchanged under Koeman. “Koeman does not see Veerman as a starting player for Oranje, and for the places on the bench, the staff prefer midfielders such as Quinten Timber, Jerdy Schouten, Valente, Koopmeiners, and possibly Kees Smit,” Wijffels reported. This suggests that Koeman has a clear hierarchy in midfield and Veerman does not currently fit into his plans.
Veerman himself has publicly downplayed the importance of the World Cup, focusing instead on securing the Eredivisie title with PSV and potentially attracting interest from clubs abroad. PSV is on the verge of a historic season, potentially clinching the championship in March – a feat never before achieved in Dutch football. They will require to win against Telstar on Sunday, March 22nd, and hope for a defeat for Feyenoord against Ajax to secure the title.
The situation raises questions about the criteria Koeman is using for selection. Some observers, as highlighted in a tweet from @halvebelg, question the logic of including less established players like Valente and Smit while consistently overlooking Veerman, suggesting there may be factors beyond pure footballing ability at play.
Terecht dat Koeman hem niet selecteert?
Veerman’s focus remains firmly on domestic success with PSV. The club is on the cusp of a historic Eredivisie title win, and the midfielder’s performance will be crucial in their remaining matches. He was reportedly not fully fit last week, which contributed to his omission from the national team, according to PSV coach Peter Bosz, who stated that the issue was “not serious” and expects Veerman to be available for selection next week.
The 27-year-old Veerman, who joined PSV in January 2022, has been a key figure in their midfield, contributing significantly to their attacking play. He previously played for sc Heerenveen and FC Volendam. He earned his first cap for the Netherlands in 2023 and was part of the squad that participated in the 2024 European Championship in Germany, though his performance in the group stage match against Austria was widely criticized.
With the World Cup looming, Veerman’s chances of representing the Netherlands appear increasingly slim. However, his priority remains with PSV, where he continues to excel and lead the charge for the Eredivisie title. PSV will face Telstar on Sunday, March 22nd at 16:45 CET (10:45 AM EST), with the opportunity to secure the championship. The next update on Veerman’s international future will likely come after the World Cup, when the KNVB and Koeman assess the team’s performance and plan for the next qualifying cycle.
