Liverpool star Jeremie Frimpong can still play at the World Cup courtesy of loophole
Jeremie Frimpong can still feature at the 2026 World Cup despite being left out of Ronald Koeman's Netherlands squad in controversial fashion.
Three Liverpool stars were included in Koeman's 26-man travelling party for the showpiece in North America, with Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all included.
The squad features a total of 14 Premier League players, with Arsenal's Jurrien Timber and Tottenham's Micky van de Ven in alongside Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City and stars from Sunderland, Brighton, Chelsea, Bournemouth and West Ham.
But there was no place for Frimpong, who has 15 Netherlands caps to his name.
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The wing-back struggled in his first season in the Premier League after signing from Bayer Leverkusen and Koeman ultimately opted to leave him out due to his recent injury issues.
"I didn't take Frimpong because of what I saw in the season," Koeman said regarding Frimpong's omission.
"Several physical problems. Let's remember the match against Ecuador [friendly in March], when he came on at halftime and soon left, injured. I had to choose, and I opted for another on the right flank."
Frimpong has yet to comment on the disappointment but there is still a way in which he can feature in the United States.
That's because although announced, World Cup squads are not submitted to FIFA until June 1.
It means in the event of an injury to a Dutch player, Frimpong could be brought back into the fold. The same situation applies to any player not included in a World Cup squad.
After the June 1 deadline, nations can only make changes due to a serious injury or illness.
They are allowed to be replaced up to 24 hours before the team's first game at the tournament.
Koeman has included Arsenal defender Timber, who has been out injured with an ankle problem since March.
He is fighting to be fit and available for the upcoming Champions League final after finally completing full training with Arsenal.
His inclusion is a gamble from Koeman and it is his situation which could give Frimpong an unlikely route back into the squad.
Netherlands 26-man World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Guus Til (PSV), Mats Wieffer (Brighton)
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)
Netherlands take on Algeria and Uzbekistan in warm-up friendly fixture ahead of the showpiece, before they kick off their Group F campaign with a clash against Japan on 14 June in Arlington, Texas.
They will also take on Sweden on 20 June in Houston, before wrapping up the group stage against Tunisia in Kansas City.
Topics: Netherlands, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless