Uncapped Xavi Simons in Dutch World Cup squad, Cillessen out

ZEIST, Netherlands: Uncapped attacking midfielder Xavi Simons was included Friday in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, while veteran goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen did not make coach Louis van Gaal’s roster for the tournament in Qatar. Van Gaal also selected injured stars Memphis Depay of Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt in his 26-player squad. Depay, who has scored 42 goals in 81 internationals, hasn’t featured since incurring a hamstring injury while playing for the Netherlands against Poland in September.

De Ligt is recovering from a knee injury. “Memphis Depay is still injured or not (fully) recovered,” Van Gaal said, adding that it was against his normal policy to select injured players. “But Memphis has been so important to this group — not only as a football player, but also as a person, so, yes, I have kept a place open for him.” He described Depay as “medically fit” but added that he would not be ready to start the Netherlands’ opening match on Nov.

21 against Senegal — likely their toughest opponent in the group stage — but might be able to come on as a substitute. “So that’s ... a risk for the group, but he is our top scorer and king of assists.

We can’t change that,” Van Gaal said. Simons, 20, earned his call-up with a strong first half of the domestic season with Dutch league leader PSV Eindhoven after transfering from Paris Saint-Germain. Born in Amsterdam, the player named in honor of Spain World Cup winner Xavi Hernández, went through Barcelona’s youth academy before moving to Paris.