Key facts
- Netherlands' goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and top scorer Memphis Depay are fit for the World Cup opener against Japan.
- Coach Ronald Koeman confirmed the entire team is healthy.
- Verbruggen had been dealing with a hip injury but is back in full training.
- Depay, the team's all-time leading scorer, has recovered from a thigh injury.
The Netherlands will have both goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and top scorer Memphis Depay available for their World Cup opener against Japan. Coach Ronald Koeman announced on Saturday that his entire squad is fit for the Group F match.
Verbruggen's status had been uncertain after he sustained a hip injury during a tune-up match against Uzbekistan and missed some training sessions. However, Koeman confirmed the goalkeeper returned to full practice on Friday and Saturday.
Depay, who is the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer with 55 goals, had been managing a thigh injury for several weeks. He played for Brazilian club Corinthians on May 24, just three days before the World Cup roster was finalized. Koeman noted that Depay has performed well during the team's tournament preparations, emphasizing his importance to the team's potential success.