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Xavi Hernández is set to unveil his inaugural squad as Netherlands head coach on September 18, 2026. It will be the first concrete signal of how the Spaniard intends to reshape Dutch football after one of its more forgettable summers.
The announcement comes roughly five weeks after Xavi was appointed on August 12, making him the first foreign-born manager to lead the Oranje in nearly half a century. The last non-Dutch coach to hold the job was Ernst Happel, way back in 1977-78.
How Xavi ended up in Amsterdam
The Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a round-of-32 exit, prompting Ronald Koeman’s resignation.
The Dutch football association moved quickly, landing on Xavi as Koeman’s successor. The KNVB highlighted Xavi’s deep ties to Barcelona’s football philosophy, which was heavily influenced by legendary coaches Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, making him a fitting candidate for the Dutch team. His appointment followed a series of high-profile candidates who declined the role.
Xavi, 46, comes to the role with a distinguished playing career at FC Barcelona and with Spain, notably winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010. His managerial tenure includes success at Al-Sadd and a return to Barcelona, where he succeeded Ronald Koeman and led the club to win La Liga in the 2022-23 season.
His four-year contract runs through the 2030 World Cup.
What to expect from the squad announcement
Xavi is expected to name an expanded squad for his first selection, casting a wide net to assess as many players as possible.
His debut match is a UEFA Nations League opener against Germany on September 24.
One name to watch is Frenkie de Jong, who Xavi knows intimately from their time together at Barcelona. De Jong has reportedly been dealing with injury concerns, and Xavi is said to be monitoring his fitness closely ahead of the squad announcement.
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