Flekken makes Netherlands’ World Cup squad as Bundesliga's sole representative

Ronald Koeman picked Bayer Leverkusen's shot-stopper Mark Flekken in the World Cup squad of the Netherlands. Flekken surprisingly missed out in Louis van Gaal’s team for the 2022 World Cup, but he'll now join the team alongside youngsters Robin Roefs and Bart Verbruggen, who both secured European spots with their modest English Premier League clubs.

Leverkusen’s 32-year-old goalkeeper missed the majority of the second half of the season due to injury before returning to the team in the final weeks. The former SC Freiburg custodian returned to German football at the start of the season after a brief spell with Brentford.

Jeremie Frimpong made the reverse move to join Liverpool, but he didn't make the World Cup squad following a season marred with injuries and fitness issues. However, there are still seven players in the squad with past Bundesliga experience. The Netherlands are seeded in one of the toughest groups as they will face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F.

Full Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup:

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

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Noah Lang (Galatasaray), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)