Seventeen footballers born in the Netherlands will not represent either the Dutch national team or the Curaçao national team at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but will instead play for a third country.

According to VoetbalPrimeur, as cited by GoogleNewsNL, the group consists of players who, despite being born in the Netherlands, have elected or qualified to represent another national football association through descent, nationality, or a prior eligibility decision. The source lists the names of the seventeen individuals along with the respective countries they will represent.

The practice of Dutch-born players representing foreign national sides is not uncommon under FIFA regulations, which permit a player to represent a country other than his birthplace provided he meets the applicable nationality or lineage criteria. Curaçao, as an independent FIFA member, has itself regularly attracted players of Dutch origin to its national setup.

The parties concerned could not be reached for comment.