Bayern talent Sophie Proost debuts, Renee van Asten misses Netherlands

Arjan Veurink has announced the final squad of the Oranje Lionesses for the World Cup qualifying duels against Hungary, with 19‑year‑old Bayern talent Sophie Proost receiving her first call‑up, while Barcelona defender Renee van Asten is not fit in time for the next two matches due to an abdominal muscle injury.

New faces and injuries

Maarten Teunisse reports that the list of injuries is not small, but the Lionesses are relatively fit compared to last season. In addition to Renee van Asten, Daphne van Domselaar and Jackie Groenen are dealing with an injury, and Romee Leuchter is also absent. Top scorer Vivianne Miedema is still recovering from a knee injury and hopes to return before the winter break.

Sophie Proost, who moved from FC Twente to Bayern Munich last summer, has already claimed a starting place several times and scored her first goal for the German top club. The 19‑year‑old forward previously played in youth eleven‑a‑side teams and for the Netherlands under‑19. With her debut she gets the chance to prove herself at international level.

Also Isa Kardinaal, 21, receives her first call‑up for the Oranje Lionesses. The central defender plays for the London City Lionesses and has not missed a minute this season. Her debut strengthens the defence alongside experienced players.

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For the goalkeeper position Veurink selects Femke Liefting, who showed a strong start to the season at Ajax. Last season Regina van Eijk, a teammate of Sophie at Bayern, was the third keeper when Van Domselaar was absent. Liefting now gets the chance to make her mark.

Match schedule and continuation

Forwards Nina Nijstad (Portland Thorns) and Katja Snoeijs (Ajax) are missing from the squad; Nijstad joins Jong the Oranje. Ilse van der Zanden, who plays for Fiorentina, remains absent despite her participation in the European Championship. Lieske Carleer of Wolfsburg is also not called up.

The full squad includes, among others, Lineth Beerensteyn (Real Madrid), Esmee Brugts (FC Barcelona), Veerle Buurman (Chelsea) and many others. The latest update from Maarten Teunisse came at 18:58, shortly after the publication at 18:29. This list shows the breadth of talent that Belgium has deployed so far.

The Lionesses play the first playoff match on 9 October at 20:00 in Felcsút, followed by the return leg on 13 October at 20:45 in Tilburg. With victories in both ties a final round against Slovenia or Turkey follows. Belgium missed direct qualification for the World Cup in Brazil, while France won the group with two points more; England is also in the playoffs against Greece.