Wout Weghorst’s journey with the Netherlands national football team has taken another unexpected turn. The 33-year-old striker has withdrawn from the national squad ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania.
The decision was confirmed on Wednesday when the Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbal Bond (KNVB) announced that Weghorst had arrived at the team’s training camp in Zeist with minor symptoms and would have his fitness re-evaluated, but ultimately will not be available.
Weghorst, who recently joined AFC Ajax in the Eredivisie after a varied spell across Europe, has been a key figure in the Dutch squad in recent years, known for his aerial presence and late-game interventions.
His withdrawal comes at a particularly ill-timed moment: the Netherlands lead their Group G qualifying section with 16 points, three ahead of Poland, and now face a run of just two matches to secure their berth.
According to reports, Weghorst reported to the national camp, but his physical condition raised concerns. “He arrived at the Netherlands’ training camp in Zeist with minor symptoms and was going to have his fitness re-evaluated ahead of Friday’s game against Poland,” one report stated.
The KNVB opted to withdraw him from the squad, in what is likely a precautionary move ahead of the looming double-header of qualifiers.
With Weghorst unavailable, head coach Ronald Koeman moved quickly to call up a replacement. Emmanuel Emegha, the 22-year-old striker currently impressing for Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace in Ligue 1, was given his first senior national team call-up.
Reports indicate Emegha has scored six goals and provided two assists in eight games across all competitions this season.
Koeman explained the decision as one guided by fitness assessment and squad readiness. “Emegha has been called up as Weghorst is not deemed fully fit,” a media report conveyed.
While there has been no detailed public disclosure of the exact nature of Weghorst’s symptoms, the decision signals that the coaching staff felt it prudent not to risk him playing while not at full health.
From a broader perspective, Weghorst’s absence opens up questions about the Netherlands’ forward options at this critical juncture. While he has not scored for the national side in 2025, his last goal for Oranje came on 16 November 2024 against Hungary in the Nations League, he still carries experience, especially in high-pressure matches, and his presence in the team has been valued.
His withdrawal therefore marks a potentially disruptive shift in strategy for Koeman.
At club level, Weghorst moved to Ajax in August 2024 after previous stints in Germany and England. The expectation around his return to the Netherlands with Ajax included a desire for him to rekindle his international form, but the timing of his latest fitness issue may dent those ambitions.
From the Dutch camp’s viewpoint, the decision underscores a balancing act between managing player fitness and maintaining competitiveness in key fixtures. The Netherlands must now focus on ensuring that the attack remains potent in Weghorst’s absence, both against Poland on 14 November and Lithuania on 17 November.
Should the Netherlands secure even one win from these two matches, their superior goal difference would likely assure qualification.
For Weghorst personally, the incident raises further questions. At this stage of his career, managing his workload and fitness will be critical if he is to continue contributing at the highest level.