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Robin Roefs and Sem Steijn debut in Netherlands squad for World Cup qualifiers

Sem Steijn has received his first call-up for Oranje
Sem Steijn has received his first call-up for OranjeČTK / imago sportfotodienst / IMAGO
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has handed first call-ups to Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and Feyenoord captain Sem Steijn ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania.

Roefs joined Sunderland for a reported €11.5 million from NEC, who received a club record fee for the goalkeeper. The 22-year-old stopper started in both of Sunderland's first two Premier League games and kept a clean sheet in the Black Cats' opening day win against West Ham (3-0).

Sem Steijn became a phenom at FC Twente, where he became the Eredivisie top scorer last season with 25 goals. It earned the attacking midfielder a move to Feyenoord, where manager Robin van Persie handed him the captain's armband ahead of Quinten Timber.

The 23-year-old Steijn has started the season strongly with two goals in Feyenoord's first two games of the Eredivisie season.

Steijn's call-up means there is no place reserved for Brighton midfielder Mats Wieffer, who was called up for Oranje's World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Malta in June.

New Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato has not been called up, nor have strikers Mexx Meerdink (AZ), despite his impressive performances since the later stages of the 2024/25 season, and Emanuel Emegha (Strasbourg).

Memphis Depay, the Dutch all-time top scorer, has recovered from a hamstring injury in time and will also be present.

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Stefan de Vrij (Inter)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Sem Steijn (Feyenoord), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)

Forwards: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Napoli), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)

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