Robben still out of Dutch squad for pair of World Cup qualifying fixtures

Netherlands manager Danny Blind announced Friday his 23-man squad for a pair of upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, and while many familiar faces made the team, one rather important winger did not.

Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben was left out, with Blind opting to call up the likes of Liverpool attacker Georginio Wijnaldum and Feyenoord forward Steven Berghuis in his stead.

Robben was also not selected in the Netherlands' first World Cup qualifying match against Sweden. He did feature off the bench in Bayern's last match against Atletico Madrid after appearing to pick up an injury during warmups earlier in the week, though.

The squad features many regulars like Wesley Sneijder, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Daley Blind, and while Robben's absence is rather puzzling, the inclusion of Feyenoord defenders Terence Kongolo and Rick Karsdorp certainly is not, as the two have been key in helping Feyenoord to a perfect start this season.

Feyenoord sits first in the Dutch Eredivisie with seven wins and no losses or draws, and the defensive duo have conceded just twice thus far in the campaign.

The Netherlands take on Belarus on Oct. 7, with a match against France taking place three days later.

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton), Jeroen Zoet (PSV)

Defenders: Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffrey Bruma (Wolfsburg), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Rick Karsdorp (Feyenoord), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio), Jetro Willems (PSV)

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Southampton), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Davy Propper (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Kevin Strootman (Roma), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)

Forwards: Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Bas Dost (Sporting Lisbon), Vincent Janssen (Tottenham), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow)