Wieke Kaptein youngest player ever included in Dutch World Cup squad

By Reuters July 2, 2023 | 07:28 pm PT

Wieke Kaptein signs a new contract with FC Twente in 2022. Photo by FC Twente

Wieke Kaptein was included in the Netherlands 23-player squad for the Women's World Cup by coach Andries Jonker with the 17-year-old midfielder becoming the country's youngest-ever player called up for the global tournament.

Netherlands' record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema had already announced in April that she had "no hopes" of playing at this year's finals in Australia and New Zealand due to a severe knee injury sustained in December and was not included in the list.

The 2019 World Cup runners-up also omitted goalkeeper Barbara Lorsheyd, forward Fenna Kalma and veteran striker Shanice van de Sanden from the final squad.

It will be the first World Cup for 11 of the squad.

The Dutch start their campaign versus Portugal on July 23 and then meet world champions the United States before finishing against Vietnam in group E.