Joshua Zirkzee Rejoins Netherlands Squad After Brobbey Injury, Manchester 2026

Key Points

• Zirkzee, Joshua
• Joshua Zirkzee has been called up to the Netherlands team as a replacement for the injured forward Brian Brobbey.
• Brobbey was forced to withdraw from the game at halftime in the Netherlands 1-1 Nations League draw against Germany after what appears to be a hamstring injury.
• It has been revealed that Zirkzee will be available for the Netherlands in their remaining three games in the international break.
• The Netherlands are scheduled to play Serbia and Greece in the three Nations League games, as reported by ESPN.
• As a Manchester United forward, Zirkzee has not played as a starter this season and has not been part of the Netherlands team since November 2024.
• Brobbey’s injury is a blow to new Netherlands boss Xavi Hernández whose first game has ended in a 1-1 draw against Germany.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) September 25, 2026 — Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been called up to the Netherlands squad after Brian Brobbey suffered an injury in the first half of Thursday’s 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw against Germany.

Reuters reported that the Dutch football association added Zirkzee for the Netherlands’ three remaining Nations League matches in the expanded international window. The call-up replaces Brobbey, who was unable to continue after sustaining what was reported elsewhere as an apparent hamstring problem.

The decision gives the Netherlands an additional central-forward option at a time when the national side has a demanding sequence of matches still to play. The Dutch are scheduled to face Serbia at home and away, alongside a match against Greece, ESPN reported.

Zirkzee’s return is significant because he has not represented the Netherlands since November 2024, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old now joins a squad adjusting after its opening match of the international period, which ended level against Germany in Amsterdam.

What happened to Brian Brobbey against Germany?

Brian Brobbey was forced off during the first half of the Netherlands’ match against Germany on Thursday. ESPN reported that the Sunderland striker went down with what appeared to be a hamstring issue, while several Dutch outlets said he left the match after 35 minutes.

The Reuters report did not specify the precise nature or expected duration of Brobbey’s injury, but confirmed that it prompted the Netherlands to bring Zirkzee into the group.

As reported by Shubi Arun and multiple authors for ESPN, Brobbey’s absence will rule him out of the Netherlands’ next three Nations League fixtures: the two matches with Serbia and the game against Greece.

The injury comes after Brobbey entered the international period in productive club form. ESPN reported that he had scored a hat-trick for Sunderland against Manchester City before joining the Netherlands camp.

There has not yet been a detailed public medical assessment setting out the severity of the problem. Reports describing the issue as a hamstring or muscular injury should therefore be treated as an initial account rather than a confirmed timetable for his recovery.

Why did the Netherlands select Zirkzee?

The Netherlands have selected Joshua Zirkzee as a direct replacement in the attacking group following Brobbey’s withdrawal. Reuters said the call-up applies to the three remaining Nations League matches of the current window.

Zirkzee offers the Dutch coaching staff a recognised striker who is already familiar with international football, even though he has been outside the senior squad for an extended period. His most recent Netherlands appearance came in November 2024, ESPN reported.

The choice also means head coach Xavi Hernández has opted for a forward playing at Manchester United rather than selecting a different option from the wider Dutch pool. Dutch publication De Telegraaf reported that Xavi called up Zirkzee specifically as Brobbey’s replacement following the injury against Germany.

As reported by Voetbal International, Zirkzee will be part of the group for the three remaining Nations League matches, with Brobbey unable to continue in the camp.

What does Zirkzee’s club situation mean?

Zirkzee arrives on international duty without having started a match for Manchester United this season, according to ESPN.

That lack of starts does not determine whether he will play for the Netherlands, but it provides context for his immediate match readiness and for the selection decisions facing Xavi. The Dutch coach may assess Zirkzee in training before determining his involvement against Serbia and Greece.

The call-up nonetheless provides Zirkzee with an opportunity to re-establish himself in the international set-up. Because his last national-team appearance was in November 2024, the September 2026 window could represent his first Netherlands involvement for nearly two years.

What was the result of Netherlands v Germany?

The Netherlands drew 1-1 with Germany in Xavi Hernández’s first game as Netherlands head coach. ESPN reported that Cody Gakpo scored late to secure the draw for the Dutch side in Amsterdam.

Brobbey’s early departure was one of several injury-related incidents around the match. ESPN reported that Germany forward Kai Havertz was substituted after 30 minutes, while Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala withdrew after being injured during the warm-up. Germany coach Jürgen Klopp said both players underwent MRI scans after the match, according to ESPN.

For the Netherlands, the result leaves the focus on the forthcoming Nations League schedule rather than on the opening-game draw alone. The immediate squad change is now Zirkzee’s inclusion and the medical assessment awaiting Brobbey.

Which Nations League matches are next?

The Netherlands’ remaining fixtures in the current international window are:

• Netherlands v Serbia.
• Serbia v Netherlands.
• Greece v Netherlands.

Reuters described these as the Dutch team’s three remaining Nations League matches in the expanded window.

The sequence gives Xavi several competitive matches in which to settle his attacking options after Brobbey’s withdrawal. The coach’s approach to selecting a starting striker will be closely watched, particularly after Zirkzee’s recall and Gakpo’s late equaliser against Germany.

Background: What is the context of Zirkzee’s call-up?

Joshua Zirkzee’s call-up follows an injury to Brian Brobbey rather than a planned expansion of the Netherlands squad. Reuters reported that the Dutch football association made the change on Friday after Brobbey’s injury during the Germany match.

Brobbey had started against Germany but did not complete the first half. ESPN said the injury was a blow to Xavi Hernández, who was taking charge of his first game as Netherlands manager.

The Netherlands begin the next phase of the international window with a point from the Germany draw, a new manager in charge and an altered attacking group. Zirkzee’s return gives the team an additional option, while Brobbey’s condition will remain relevant to Sunderland as well as the Dutch national side.

Prediction: How could this affect Netherlands supporters and clubs?

For Netherlands supporters, Zirkzee’s return creates a fresh selection issue ahead of three Nations League fixtures. His involvement could give the side another central attacking option, but his lack of Manchester United starts this season means match sharpness may be considered when Xavi selects his team.

For Sunderland, the development is more immediately concerning because Brobbey will miss the rest of the international window and requires further assessment of his injury. ESPN reported that he entered the break after a hat-trick against Manchester City, so any extended absence would interrupt a strong period of form.

For Manchester United supporters, the call-up gives Zirkzee a chance to gain competitive minutes and confidence with the Netherlands, although his role will depend on Xavi’s selection decisions across the Serbia and Greece matches.