Eredivisie players at the 2026 World Cup: Strikers | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup has kicked off, with the Netherlands not starting their campaign until the weekend against Japan. However, plenty of Eredivisie players are set to be in action. We’ve looked at the goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders, now its the turn of the strikers.

Wout Weghorst – Netherlands

A surprise addition to the Dutch squad given his form for Ajax, Wout Weghorst has long been a favourite of Dutch national team coaches. Despite only scoring nine goals this season in 34 games, Weghorst is once again off to a major tournament for Oranje. Ronald Koeman likes the different style that he can use with Weghorst who will likely have to make his impact off the bench. Weghorst will be hoping to add to his two World Cup goals from 2022.

Guus Til – Netherlands

Joining Weghorst in the Oranje squad is PSV striker Guus Til. The 28-year-old had a great season for the Eredivisie champions, scoring 17 goals in 40 games, with seven assists as well. That means Til has now scored double figures in his last five seasons in the Eredivisie. At national level, Til has only played seven games with one goal. He has only made 15 minutes in the friendlies that the Dutch national team have played, so Til may have to bide his time for a World Cup appearance.

Brandley Kuwas – Curacao

Brandley Kuwas suffered relegation with Volendam this season but had a decent Eredivisie campaign. The 33-year-old scored seven goals and provided five assists in 37 games for the side. His contract is up this summer, but for now he gets to enjoy Curacao’s debut World Cup campaign. Kuwas is likely to be an impact player off of the bench rather than a starter for the World Cup debutants.

Ayase Ueda – Japan

Ayase Ueda is likely to have the biggest impact out of any of the Eredivisie strikers at the World Cup. The former Cercle Brugge forward had a stellar seasons for Feyenoord, scoring 26 goals in 40 games for the side. His incredible form has attracted plenty of suitors, and this World Cup could be a moment for the Japanese forward to show the world what he can do. Japan have a strong squad, but Ueda’s goals could be crucial for helping them go far in the tournament.

Esmir Bajraktarevic – Bosnia and Herzegovina

21-year-old Bosnian striker Esmir Bajraktarevic had a decent first full season for the PSV senior side. The young forward, formerly of New England, returns to the USA for the World Cup having scored seven goals and provided four assists in 36 games. This is a decent return for a player that only started eight of his 28 Eredivisie appearances. Bajraktarevic had made an appearance for the USMNT as a youngster but has since switched to Bosnia and Herzegovina instead, who are set to play in their second World Cup as an independent nation.

Ricardo Pepi – USA

Ricardo Pepi may well be leaving PSV this summer for the Premier League. The 23-year-old USMNT striker has been linked with a move to Fulham after scoring 19 goals in 34 games, following up on his 17 goals in 28 games last season. Pepi will be part of a host nation that is under pressure to perform, especially with all the issues that the USA has experienced off the pitch around the World Cup and its organisation. With Florian Balogun in the side, Pepi is far from guaranteed a starting spot. He will have to earn it from the bench.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson