Netherlands vs Norway – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

The Netherlands and Norway meet in an international friendly on Friday.

Both sides topped their qualifying groups to reach the 2026 World Cup and will see this clash at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena as a test of their progress.

Netherlands vs Norway – Match preview and team news

Netherlands team news

Memphis Depay has become the latest player to pull out of this international window after sustaining a thigh injury. Ronald Koeman had previously confirmed the Corinthians forward as his first‑choice striker, but the setback now forces the head coach to rethink his attacking plans for the Norway encounter.

Crysencio Summerville – who had been in line for his Netherlands debut – is also ruled out through injury, alongside Robin Roefs, Matthijs de Ligt, Jurrien Timber, Noa Lang and Frenkie de Jong.

On a more positive note, Jan Paul van Hecke is available again after serving an international suspension. He is expected to come back into the starting XI. There is also a first senior call‑up for highly rated AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, who will hope to make his mark in Koeman’s squad.

Depay’s absence opens the door for in‑form Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, fresh from scoring a late winner in the Tyne‑Wear derby against Newcastle United at the weekend. Donyell Malen might get the nod ahead of him at centre-forward, if both are not included in the starting XI.

Norway team news

Stale Solbakken has confirmed that star striker Erling Haaland will be rested for this fixture, even though he remains part of the squad. This creates a room to assess Jorgen Strand Larsen, with Alexander Sorloth likely to join the Crystal Palace frontman in a two‑man strike partnership.

Another eye‑catching inclusion is Bodo/Glimt winger Jens Petter Hauge, rewarded for an impressive spell in the UEFA Champions League.

Notable omissions, include Martin Odegaard, who has been allowed to stay behind and work on his fitness after a recent injury.

Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard has also missed out on selection, but Solbakken still has ample depth at his disposal to field a strong starting eleven. In particular, the creativity of Julian Ryerson down the right flank is expected to be a key attacking outlet for the visitors.

Form

Netherlands

The Netherlands cruised through World Cup qualifying unbeaten, averaging over three goals per game and conceding just four times as Koeman’s side secured their place with a 4‑0 win over Lithuania in November.

Norway

Norway went unbeaten in 2025, winning nine of 10 matches and taking maximum points in World Cup qualifying to book their return to the global stage. In their last match, they defeated Italy away from home (4-1).

Predicted lineups

Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Ake; Gravenberch, Schouten; Reijnders, Gakpo; Malen, Brobbey

Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Bjorkan; Bobb, Berg, Berge, Hauge; Strand Larsen, Sorloth

How to watch Netherlands vs Norway?

You can watch it in the UK via Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view (PPV) basis.

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