Netherlands announce Euro 2024 squad - Who makes the cut? Which stars have missed out?

UEFA confirmed earlier this month that squad sizes have been increased from 23 to 26 players for this year's eagerly-anticipated continental tournament, and all squads must include at least three goalkeepers.

Ronald Koeman is still trying to impress in the Netherlands dugout having recorded seven victories and five defeats from his 12 matches in all competitions.

Nevertheless, he is tasked with the responsibility of ending the 36-year wait for another major trophy, beginning the tournament with a group that contains France, Austria and Poland.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the Netherlands' preliminary squad for Euro 2024, who has been selected and who are the unfortunate players to miss out.

Which Dutch stars have been selected?

Led by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, there are plenty of the usual suspects in the Netherlands squad, with as many as eight representatives from the Premier League.

Manchester City's Nathan Ake is another headline name in the squad, while Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven has been included despite having earned just the two caps.

Despite enduring a mixed campaign with Liverpool, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch earns a spot in Koeman's ranks, with domestic teammate Cody Gakpo being selected in attack.

Mark Flekken and Bart Verbruggen - of Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively - are two of four goalkeepers named, the others being Justin Biljow and Nick Olij.

Ian Maatsen is yet to earn a senior cap for the Netherlands, yet the left-sided Chelsea player is rewarded for his outstanding performances while on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

Other star names in the squad include Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, Paris Saint-Germain's Xavi Simons and Atletico Madrid's Memphis Depay.

Which Dutch stars will miss Euro 2024?

Even though Koeman has taken the approach of naming four players over the allotted 26, there are still some notable names that have missed out.

Joshua Zirkzee has just helped fire Bologna to a surprise Champions League place, yet the 22-year-old forward does not feature in the attacking ranks.

Young Ajax defender Jorrel Hato also misses out, not helped by his team's poor form during 2023-24, while no risks have been taken on Arsenal defender Jorrel Hato, who has not made a first-team appearance since August due to a serious knee injury.

Emerging Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer is also left out, as is club teammate Calvin Stengs despite three goals from his eight Netherlands appearances.

What are the Netherlands' pre-tournament preparations?

Netherlands have chosen to arrange friendlies against Canada and Iceland ahead of commencing their Euro 2024 campaign versus Poland.

Both games are scheduled to take place at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium on June 6 and June 10 respectively, with the first Group D fixture taking place six days later on June 16.

Netherlands's preliminary 30-man squad for Euro 2024:

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Ian Maatsen (Chelsea), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta BC), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Marten de Roon (Atalanta BC), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al-Ettifaq)

Attackers: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim)