Netherlands have announced their 26-man World Cup squad, with some surprise omissions and inclusions. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has failed to make the cut, with coach Louis van Gaal citing a 'lack of form' as the reason for his exclusion.
Salah, who has struggled for form this season, was expected to feature in the Netherlands' World Cup squad. However, van Gaal has opted for a more experienced and in-form team, with Memphis Depay and Jurrien Timber making the cut.
Depay, who has been in excellent form for Barcelona, has been included in the squad, despite recent speculation over his future. Timber, on the other hand, has been one of the standout performers for Ajax this season, and his inclusion will be a boost to the Netherlands' backline.
Other notable inclusions include goalkeeper Andries Noppert and midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands will face Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar in the group stages, with the tournament set to kick off on November 21.
Speaking about the squad selection, van Gaal said: 'It's not about being popular or not, it's about what we need to win the World Cup.'
The Netherlands' World Cup campaign will be closely watched by football fans around the world, and the inclusion of Depay and Timber will be seen as a bold move by van Gaal. What this means for you: As a fan of the Premier League, you'll be interested to see how Salah's omission from the Netherlands' World Cup squad will impact his future at Liverpool.