Eredivisie players at the 2026 World Cup: Midfielders | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup kicks off today with Mexico facing South Africa. The Eredivisie has plenty of players set to take part in the tournament. We’ve looked at the goalkeepers and defenders already, and now with one day to go, lets look at the midfielders.

Ramiz Zerrouki – Algeria

Ramiz Zerrouki spent last season on loan at FC Twente from Feyenoord, returning to the club he had joined the Rotterdam side from back in 2023. Zerrouki played 35 games for Twente this past season as he helped the side qualify for European football. With a contract up at Feyenoord next summer, this World Cup could give Zerrouki a chance to impress potential suitors. The midfielder will certainly feature for the Algerians at the World Cup, having played during the recent friendlies.

Zidane Iqbal – Iraq

Former Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal spent most of his season with Jon Utrecht, although he dd make seven senior appearances for the Utrecht first team. The 23-year-old central midfielder has been a regular for the Iraqi national team and will certainly feature for the side during the World Cup. During World Cup qualification Igbal played 12 games and scored twice. Iraq have one of the toughest World Cup groups with Senegal, France and Norway.

Juninho Bacuna – Curacao

Juninho Bacuna suffered relegation from the Eredivisie with FC Volendam this season and will hope to put that behind him as he goes to the World Cup for Curacao’s debut tournament. The 28-year-old gives the side plenty of versatility in central areas. Bacuna joined Volendam during the January transfer window on loan from Gaziantep and the move certainly helped him regain some match fitness, with 15 appearances for the side in the Eredivisie. Bacuna has been a regular for Curacao with 50 appearances and 14 goals.

Tyrese Noslin – Curacao

Telstar winger Tyrese Noslin joins Bacuna in the Curacao squad for the World Cup. The 23-year-old was able to celebrate Eredivisie survival, having played 39 games for Telstar with three goals and four assists. He has had a fantastic past two seasons with the side, helping them win promotion last season and then shock Dutch football by staying in the league. Noslin only has seven caps for the Curacao national team but will certainly add to them during the World Cup.

Hwang In-Beom – South Korea

Hwang In-Beom played 24 games for Feyenoord this season, scoring one goal and grabbing five assists. The South Korean midfielder is into his second season in Dutch football and had another solid campaign ahead of the World Cup. Expect the midfielder to see plenty of action having made 15 appearances during South Korea’s qualification campaign for the tournament.

Ajdin Hrustic – Australia

Another player who suffered Eredivisie relegation this season, Ajdin Hrustic will hope to put that behind him as he goes to the World Cup with Australia. The 29-year-old was a rare bright spot for Heracles this season after returning to the club, with four goals and seven assists in 30 appearances. Sadly it wasn’t enough to stop the side sliding into the second tier of Dutch football. Out of contract this summer, Hrustic will hope to help Ausralia make it out of a group containing Türkiye, hosts the USA and Paraguay.

Jamiro Monteiro – Cape Verde

Cape Verde make their World Cup debut and PEC Zwolle’s Jamiro Monteiro will be part of it. The 32-year-old midfielder, who can also play out wide, has been part of the squad since 2016. Cape Verde have plenty of experience, with Monteiro himself having played over 40 games for the Sharks. During his second season with PEC Zwolle, Monteiro played 23 games, with two goals and three assists.

Ryan Thomas – New Zealand

Fellow PEC Zwolle midfielder Ryan Thomas will join Monteiro at the World Cup. Thomas plays for New Zealand, the only side from Oceania to qualify for the tournament. Thomas has been with PEC Zwolle since returning in 2022, having joined from PSV. This past season he made the most appearances in a single season for the club since joining, with 28 games, 27 of which were Eredivisie starts. Thomas has yet to appear in the friendlies for New Zealand ahead of the World Cup.

Ivan Perisic – Croatia

The 37-year-old Ivan Perisic showed no signs of slowing down this season. The Croatian played 43 games for Eredivisie champions PSV, scoring 10 goals and providing 14 assists. The vastly experienced winger will once again be lining up for Croatia at a major tournament, looking to add to his over 150 caps and 38 goals. This will more than likely be the last World Cup for Perisic and a number of other Croatian stalwarts.

Paul Wanner – Austria

Fellow PSV midfielder Paul Wanner will make his World Cup debut. The 20-year-old is at the opposite end of his career to Perisic, and joins an Austrian side that could do well. Wanner joined PSV this past summer and played 32 games in his debut season, scoring five goals and providing four assists. Clearly a young talent, Wanner could be one to watch at the World Cup after changing his international allegiance from Germany to Austria.

Ismael Saibari – Morocco

One of the best players in the Eredivisie this season, Saibari has been a key player for Morocco in recent years. The 25-year-old was a key player for PSV as well as they won the title for the second successive season, with Saibari chipping in with 19 goals and nine assists in 37 games. Saibari will feature heavily for Morocco at the World Cup and should add to his 29 caps and nine goals since 2023. Last time out Morocco made history by being the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Any repeat of that success will rely on the likes of Saibari having strong tournaments.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson