<p><strong>Wout Weghorst</strong> became part of soccer history because of his heated exchange with <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a></strong> during the <strong>2022 FIFA World Cup</strong> in Qatar. Now, the striker will get another opportunity after being included in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 edition in North America.</p>



<p>On Wednesday, the national team unveiled the list of 26 players selected by head coach <strong>Ronald Koeman</strong> through a post on its official social media accounts. Alongside the squad’s biggest stars, Weghorst’s inclusion stands out.</p>



<p>The 33-year-old center forward is one of eight attackers selected to represent <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/netherlands/">Netherlands</a></strong>, earning his place after a respectable 2025-26 season with <strong>Ajax</strong>: nine goals and four assists in 34 matches across the <strong>Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, </strong>and <strong>UEFA Champions League.</strong></p>



<p>The incident involving Weghorst and Messi took place immediately after <strong>Argentina</strong>’s penalty shootout victory over Netherlands in the quarterfinals of <strong>Qatar 2022</strong>. While the Argentine forward was giving an interview to <em>TyC Sports</em>, he exchanged words with his rival, telling him: <em><strong>“What are you looking at, fool? Go over there.”</strong></em></p>



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<p>At the <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/">2026 World Cup</a></strong>, the chances of Argentina and Netherlands meeting again will depend on where each team finishes in the group stage. <strong>If both teams finish first in their respective groups, they would only meet in a hypothetical final</strong>. However, if one of them ends up finishing second or third, they could face each other as early as the quarterfinals.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/world-cup/lionel-scaloni-confirms-doubts-for-argentinas-2026-world-cup-roster-explains-criteria-for-selection/"></div>


<h2>Netherlands roster</h2>



<p>Beyond the presence of Wout Weghorst, the 26 names selected by Ronald Koeman do not feature many surprises. The country’s biggest stars are all included, such as <strong>Virgil van Dijk </strong>and <strong>Frenkie de Jong</strong>, along with other standout players like <strong>Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Gravenberch, Memphis Depay, </strong>and <strong>Cody Gakpo</strong>.</p>



<p>Among the major absences, two names stand out: <strong>Matthijs de Ligt </strong>and <strong>Xavi Simons</strong>. Both were left out because of <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/netherlands-suffer-tough-blow-as-matthijs-de-ligt-ruled-out-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/">injuries suffered in recent months</a></strong>, with recovery timelines extending beyond the World Cup. Among the players Koeman chose not to call up, the most notable omission is Liverpool’s <strong>Jeremie Frimpong</strong>.</p>



<h2>What’s next for Netherlands</h2>



<p>With the roster now confirmed, Netherlands are ready to begin preparations. They will play two friendly matches against <strong>Algeria </strong>and <strong>Uzbekistan </strong>on June 3 and June 8, respectively. Their Group F debut will come on June 14 against <strong>Japan</strong>, followed by matches against <strong>Sweden </strong>and <strong>Tunisia</strong>.</p>


Lionel Messi watches closely as Netherlands’ World Cup squad features 2022 rival Wout Weghorst

Lionel Messi watches closely as Netherlands' World Cup squad features 2022 rival Wout Weghorst - World Soccer Talk

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<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule/">Netherlands</a> took home the full three points on Sunday, scraping past a resilient <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/poland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Poland</a> side 2-1 to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign. Super-sub Wout Weghorst made the difference to complete a sensational come-from-behind victory.</p>



<p>Poland entered the game <a href="https://apnews.com/article/euro-2024-poland-netherlands-preview-7f8a9b141bbb56d6a4766263ad53134b">without</a> star striker Robert Lewandowski, who suffered a thigh injury in one of their pre-Euro friendlies. The Dutch, down Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, were also <a href="https://www.football-oranje.com/brobbey-to-miss-netherlands-opener/">missing</a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ajax-tv-schedule/">Ajax</a> winger Brian Brobbey to a hamstring injury</p>



<p>Poland started the game with a bang. Star midfielder Piotr Zieliński lofted a well-hit corner to striker Adam Buksa in the 15th minute, who powered a header past Dutch stopper Bart Verbruggen. The Netherlands faced the tall task of breaking down Poland’s low block, with Poland committed to getting at least a point from the match.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/16040935/Netherlands-Poland-1-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-511889" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>



<p>The Netherlands struck back through Cody Gakpo. Nathan Aké won a ball out of the air and laid it off to the winger. Gakpo then cut inside and fired a low shot, which took a heavy deflection from Bartosz Salamon. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had already dove for the seemingly easy save, couldn’t get to the ball in time.</p>



<h2>Netherlands struggles for winner against Poland</h2>



<p>The Netherlands struggled to find a winner after, and the frustration was evident on the players’ faces. Despite generating 21 shots, the Dutch only steered four shots on target. There was a rift between the Netherlands’ offensive stars, with Memphis Depay, Donyell Malen, and Denzel Dumfries arguing after missed chances.</p>



<p>Gakpo had a huge chance to give the Dutch its first lead of the afternoon after he found himself on the receiving end of an Aké cutback with only the keeper to beat. But, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> star blasted his shot well over the bar.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> fullback Jakub Kiwior nearly scored Poland’s second in the 58th minute. After receiving the ball in the box, Kiwior blasted a shot to Verbruggen’s left. The shot took a huge deflection on its way to the goal, but the Brighton stopper forced the ball away.</p>



<p>After subbing on Depay, Weghorst scored the game’s winning goal in the 85th. Aké strolled into the final third with no Polish player to check him. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-history-of-manchester-united-vs-manchester-city-gary-james-interview-video-20130406-CMS-52551.html">City</a> defender played an incisive through ball that spun past the marauding Denzel Dumfries and into Weghorst’s feet. Weghorst struck the ball with one touch, powering the ball past Szczesny to put the Netherlands up 2-1.</p>



<p>Striker Karol Swiderski had the opportunity to even the game for Poland and rescue their chances of a draw in the 89th minute. Jakub Piotrowski strode into the box with an incisive dribble and found Swiderski open at the six-yard line. However, Swiderski, under heavy pressure from Virgil van Dijk, sent his attempt just past the post.</p>



<h2>Netherlands have advantage after win</h2>



<p>The Dutch have a huge advantage after winning three points in their first match. They won’t necessarily have to play to win against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a> — four points is enough to advance out of the group stage. The Netherlands are also favorites in their match against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/austria-national-team-tv-schedule/">Austria</a>, meaning they have a fair chance of finishing first in their group.</p>



<p>Poland will need to get their points elsewhere, and their best chance is in a pivotal clash with Austria. Austria is likely to not take any points from their Monday match against France. A win against Poland could set them up to take away points from France in Group D or even qualify as one of the best third-placed finishers.</p>



<p>The Netherlands plays France on Friday at 3 PM EST, while Poland faces Austria on Friday at noon EST.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


Netherlands edge past Poland with late Weghorst winner

Wout Weghorst scored the Netherlands' climactic winning goal as they earned the full three points against Poland at Euro 2024.

Netherlands edge past Poland with late Weghorst winner - World Soccer Talk

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Lionel Messi watches closely as Netherlands’ World Cup squad features 2022 rival Wout Weghorst

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Netherlands edge past Poland with late Weghorst winner