Koeman says De Jong starts for Netherlands despite fitness concerns

Frenkie de Jong has been named in the starting lineup for the Netherlands in their World Cup match against Sweden on June 20, 2026. Manager Ronald Koeman expressed doubts about De Jong's fitness earlier, noting he is not at 100% but deemed fit enough to play. The decision follows a disappointing result in the team's first match against Japan, making this encounter critical for the Dutch team. Both the team and FC Barcelona will monitor De Jong's performance during the game. The match is currently underway.

• 5:10 PMYahoo Sports — Koeman issues De Jong fitness update after start for Netherlands: ‘Don’t think he’s 100% but he’s in good enough shape’