Netherlands World Cup squad will visit migrant laborers in Qatar during their stay in the host country according to Netherland coach Louis van Gaal.
The former Manchester United coach and now Holland boss Louis Van reiterated The Royal Dutch Soccer Association’s announcement on Thursday night, after revealing Netherlands’s 26-men squad list on Friday that the Dutch World Cup squad will meet a group of migrant workers in Qatar.
He said the meeting will come up after their training session ahead of their opener being part of the Dutch soccer federation’s push to promote human rights at the World Cup tournament.
Louis Van Gaal said: “First of all, we are going to Qatar to become world champions, but of course, we look beyond football.”
Meanwhile, this announcement arrived days after the FIFA realm instructed teams to focus only on football in the World Cup tournament, despite concerns over attitudes towards LGBTQ fans and the harsh treatment of migrant workers.
However, the Dutch federation maintained that it organized the meeting with 20 migrant workers together with FIFA and a labor union.
In a 75-page report released by a London-based rights group Equidem on Thursday, November 10, it was reported that migrant laborers who constructed Qatar’s World Cup stadiums always worked long hours under ill-treatments.
The report also revealed that the migrant laborers were subjected to discrimination of all types, wage theft, and other abuses as their employers evaded accountability.
Van Gaal said the planned meeting with migrant workers was inferred to give attention to the often horrible working conditions under which Qatar stadiums and other infrastructure for the World Cup tournament were built before the Dutch team can imply to FIFA’s admonition and focus its attention on the World Cup.
Hence, Holland’s squad are expected to meet a group of about 20 migrants on November 17 to discuss about their working conditions and to give the labourers opportunity to join the Dutch players during their training.
Louis Van Gaal Revealed He Saw His Players’ Nude Amidst Squad Selection.
Netherland head coach Louis van Gaal said he caught some of his Dutch players “naked” when he called some of the players to notify them that they had not made his World Cup squad.
The 71-year-old Netherland head coach, Louis Van Gaal announced his 26-man Dutch team for the World Cup tournament in Qatar on Friday, November 11.
Before confirming the squad, the Holland boss revealed how uncomfortable he felt announcing to each of the 11 jettisoned players that they would not be in the final selection.
Speaking in his announcement press conference, Vaan Gaal said some of his star players were not yet dressed when he had video call with them, and revealed how troubled he felt to omit some of them.
Van Gaal said: “It’s not easy dropping someone.”
“I spent 1 hour and 45 minutes Facetiming the 11 players this morning. It wasn’t easy.
“I also took into account the time difference with the English players. I saw some naked players because they were still in bed.”
The Dutch boss has named his 26-man troop for 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup action, with a string of fright selections and omissions.
While uncapped trio Xavi Simons, Jeremie Frimpong, and Andries Noppert made the list, there is no place for Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch or Newcastle United’s Sven Botman.
Also, Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen didn’t receive a call-up, including Donny van de Beek, while Georginio Wijnaldum will be out of the squad because of a leg injury.
Van Gaal’s Netherlands will play their World Cup opener against Senegal on November 21.
Below is Holland’s squad for the Qatar World Cup
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (sc Heerenveen)
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurriën Timber (Ajax) Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale), Mathijs de Light (Bayern München), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta Bergamo), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta Bergamo), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV)
Forwards: Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp FC), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Beşiktaş JK)
