The Netherlands kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign against France on Friday, with coach Ronald Koeman facing squad problems ahead of the first leg.

Ronald KoemanPhoto: Pro Shots Photo Agency / ddp USA / Profimedia

Another 5 Dutch players are unavailable due to the virus – including Cody Gakpo and Matthijs de Ligt

After learning he would not be able to rely on Frankie de Jong and Steven Bergwein, Ronald Koeman received more bad news a day before the first group match of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

On Friday evening at 21:45 at the Stade de France, the Netherlands will meet France, and the “mechanical orange” national team is facing personnel problems.

Today, representatives of Ronald Koeman’s staff announced that 5 players have left the training camp due to contracting the virus.

They are Cody Gakpo, Sven Botman, Matthias de Ligt, Joey Weerman and Bart Verbruggen.

5 added to the list of two unavailable players for the duel with France.

Coach Ronald Koeman called up Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Inter Milan’s Stefan de Frey and Vitesse goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen.

The Netherlands group consists of France, Gibraltar, Greece and Ireland.