ZEIST, Netherlands (AP) — Memphis Depay has recovered from injury just in time for coach Ronald Koeman to include him in the 26-man squad for the World Cup next month.
Depay, the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, made his first appearance in several weeks for Brazilian club Corinthians on Sunday after recovering from a thigh injury.
"I'd have preferred it happened earlier," Koeman said, adding he'd have to "wait and see" just how fit Depay is.
Three Players Return From Injury
Depay was one of three players who have recently returned from injury to be selected by Koeman. That was despite his limited playing time leading into soccer's global showcase being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Justin Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, has also just returned to fitness after surgery to repair a knee injury and was picked along with defender Jurrien Timber, fresh from winning the Premier League with Arsenal, but also only recently returned to fitness. Timber's brother Quinten also was named in the squad.
World Cup History
The Netherlands is a three-time World Cup finalist but has never won international soccer's greatest prize. It lost in 1974 to then West Germany, in 1978 to host Argentina and to Spain in 2010 when Andres Iniesta scored a goal late in extra time.
Midfielder Xavi Simons was ruled out of the tournament in April after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a match for Tottenham against Wolverhampton.
Koeman captained the Netherlands when the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994 when the Dutch lost 3-2 to eventual champion Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Group F Fixtures
The Netherlands opens its Group F campaign in Dallas against Japan before taking on Sweden and finally Tunisia.
Goalkeepers
Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).
Mike Corder, The Associated Press