Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman says that Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is a doubt for his team’s World Cup clash with Sweden due to injury.
The midfielder played all 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Japan but the Netherlands may have to cope without him on Saturday.
“But Frenkie also has minor complaints about his physical condition. He also did practice with other players. But let’s see how he will be tomorrow. It is not clear. It is a question mark. I’m not sure, I don’t know. It is below his belly,
his injury,” he told reporters.
Koeman also revealed how he spoke to De Jong after the opening game about how he needs to improve.
“I spoke to Frenkie after the game and I think he is doing a lot things right,” he added.
“Tactically he is a very clever player. I’ve also discussed with Frenkie that when we are in the offence, he needs to get out there.
“Sometimes he stays too low on the pitch and sometimes he could perform an action forward because then he is really fast. That’s the part where I think for himself and the team he has room for improvement. However, it would be going way too far to say ‘leave him out.’”
Barcelona will be hoping it’s only a minor problem for De Jong, particularly after seeing Raphinha and Ronald Araujo struggle with injury at World Cup 2026.
