Memphis Depay late to join Dutch national team because of stolen passport
Dutch players celebrate their side's first goal scored by Memphis Depay, top, during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Lithuania and Netherlands at Darius and Girenas stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Mindaugas Kulbis
AMSTERDAM — Memphis Depay, the all-time leading scorer for the Netherlands, will be late joining up with the squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a passport problem.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said the 31-year-old Corinthians forward would join the rest of the squad once he received proper documentation to replace his passport, which Depay said had been stolen in Brazil.
“This is unfortunate, primarily for Memphis, but also for us," Koeman said. "You naturally want to start your international preparations with a full squad. At the same time, there are circumstances beyond our control. We hope he can indeed travel to join us at the training camp as soon as possible.”
Koeman's team visit Malta on Thursday and host Finland on Sunday.
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