Gjivai Zechiel, 22, has impressed mightily in the opening weeks of the Dutch Eredivisie, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists in Feyenoord's first seven games of the season. Ruben van Bommel has been impressing as well, with 2 goals and 2 assists in six games after returning from a severe knee injury.
Captain Virgil van Dijk officially returns for Oranje duty, with the Liverpool defender's Netherlands leaving future up in the air after Ronald Koeman's resignation and awaiting two meetings with Xavi, who was appointed in August.
Xavi has no place for all-time Netherlands top scorer Memphis Depay in his squad. Memphis returned to Brazilian side Corinthians in August, but has not scored in six appearances.
The Catalan boss has also granted returns to Kenneth Taylor and Joey Veerman. Veerman was an essential part of PSV's league dominance, but was overlooked by Ronald Koeman, who had a strained relationship with the Dortmund midfielder.
Lazio's Taylor has not played for Oranje since March 2025, when the Netherlands played Spain in the UEFA Nations League. The former Ajax midfielder has played five total games for the Netherlands, with the majority coming in 2023, but is a mainstay in Lazio's midfield.
Xavi has to do without several key players, including Frenkie de Jong, who's recovering from a knee injury picked up at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Netherlands were knocked out of the round of 32 by Morocco.
The Netherlands are playing four games in the upcoming 'XL international break', starting with a home game against Jurgen Klopp's Germany in Amsterdam on September 24th. Greece (01/10) and Serbia (27/09, 04/10) are the remaining opponents.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Verbruggen, Robin Roefs, Mark Flekken
Defenders: Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremie Frimpong, Jorrel Hato, Nathan Ake, Lutsharel Geertruida
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Joey Veerman, Gjivai Zechiel, Kenneth Taylor, Teun Koopmeiners, Quinten Timber
Forwards: Crysencio Summerville, Justin Kluivert, Cody Gakpo, Ruben van Bommel, Brian Brobbey, Donyell Malen, Noa Lang