LONDON, England, November 10, 2026: Two Premier League defenders who began the international break outside their countries’ senior plans have suddenly found themselves preparing for some of the biggest matches of their careers. Brentford’s Sepp van den Berg has received his first Netherlands call-up following Virgil van Dijk’s withdrawal, while Bournemouth’s James Hill has earned his first England selection as Thomas Tuchel manages defensive absences before crucial UEFA Nations League fixtures. Both defenders are 24, both are uncapped at senior level, and both now have an unexpected opportunity to make an impression.
The circumstances behind their selections reveal different problems for their national teams. Netherlands coach Xavi Hernández must manage the final two group matches without his experienced captain, with Greece and Germany threatening his team’s quarterfinal ambitions. England, meanwhile, face Croatia at Wembley before visiting world champions Spain, with Ezri Konsa unavailable for the first match and Marc Guéhi already withdrawn. For Van den Berg and Hill, the challenge goes beyond earning a place on the squad list. Their coaches need dependable defensive options at a stage when mistakes could carry significant competitive consequences.
Two First-Time Call-Ups, Two Different Defensive Problems
The selection announcements share several similarities, but the circumstances are worth examining separately. Van den Berg has joined a Netherlands squad that has already experienced significant disruption, while Hill enters an England group whose immediate priorities include securing quarterfinal qualification and challenging Spain for first place.
| Key Detail | Sepp van den Berg | James Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 24 | 24 |
| Premier League club | Brentford | AFC Bournemouth |
| National team | Netherlands | England |
| Head coach | Xavi Hernández | Thomas Tuchel |
| Senior international caps | 0 | 0 |
| Immediate selection context | Virgil van Dijk withdrawal | Ezri Konsa unavailable against Croatia |
| Next international opponent | Greece | Croatia |
| Following opponent | Germany | Spain |
Both defenders are receiving an opportunity because established members of their national teams are unavailable. However, their responsibilities may differ considerably. Van den Berg offers the Netherlands an additional central defensive option after losing their captain, while Hill gives England greater flexibility across a back line affected by more than one absence.
Story at a glance
Two First-Time Call-Ups, Two Different Defensive Problems
The selection announcements share several similarities, but the circumstances are worth examining separately. Van den Berg has joined a Netherlands squad that has already experienced significant disruption, while Hill enters an England group whose immediate priorities include securing quarterfinal qualification and challenging Spain for first place.
Why Sepp van den Berg Has Replaced Virgil van Dijk
Van den Berg’s selection follows confirmation that Van Dijk will miss the Netherlands’ final two Nations League group games. The Liverpool defender was unable to continue with the international squad after the latest Premier League round.
How the Netherlands’ Defensive Options Have Changed
The significant point is the accumulation of absences across different positions. Van Dijk’s withdrawal is the most prominent change, but Xavi is already working with fewer defensive choices than he would ideally prefer.
Why James Hill Has Earned His First England Call-Up
Hill’s selection rewards a sustained improvement in his standing at Bournemouth.
Why England’s Defensive Changes Have Created an Opening
Hill’s arrival follows a series of adjustments to Tuchel’s original squad.
Why Sepp van den Berg Has Replaced Virgil van Dijk
Van den Berg’s selection follows confirmation that Van Dijk will miss the Netherlands’ final two Nations League group games. The Liverpool defender was unable to continue with the international squad after the latest Premier League round.
The Dutch football association also confirmed that striker Brian Brobbey had withdrawn because he was not fit following club duty. Van den Berg’s inclusion takes the Netherlands squad to 24 players.
His first senior invitation represents another step in a career that has taken him through several demanding environments in European soccer.
Van den Berg began his professional career with PEC Zwolle before moving to Liverpool in 2019. Loan spells with Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz helped him gain senior experience before he established himself in the Premier League with Brentford.
That background offers some encouragement for Xavi. The defender has experience in different tactical systems and competitive environments, although performing for the Netherlands will bring expectations that cannot be measured simply through club appearances.
According to the Royal Dutch Football Association’s official announcement, Van den Berg will join the squad in Zeist for the matches against Greece and Germany.
What Does Van Dijk’s Absence Change for the Netherlands?
The loss of Van Dijk removes an experienced organizer from a defense that has yet to keep a clean sheet in the current Nations League campaign.
The Netherlands have conceded five goals in four matches. Their unbeaten record has been maintained through two victories and two draws, but opponents have repeatedly found ways to score.
There is an important distinction between replacing Van Dijk on the squad list and assuming his responsibilities on the field.
Van Dijk offers experience in controlling defensive positioning, managing aerial situations and organizing teammates. Van den Berg has the opportunity to demonstrate his own qualities, but expecting an uncapped defender to immediately reproduce that authority would be unreasonable.
Xavi could instead use a more experienced existing international alongside Van den Berg, or retain his established defensive combinations while introducing the newcomer selectively.
The coach’s broader defensive options have already been affected by injuries to Nathan Aké, Jeremie Frimpong and Jorrel Hato.
Those absences were among the important developments covered in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of the Netherlands squad and Frenkie de Jong’s return.
Van den Berg’s inclusion adds cover, but it does not resolve every question about the Dutch defensive structure.
How the Netherlands’ Defensive Options Have Changed
| Player | Current Situation | Potential Defensive Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Virgil van Dijk | Withdrawn because of fitness concerns | Captain and experienced central defender unavailable |
| Sepp van den Berg | First senior call-up | Additional center-back option |
| Nathan Aké | Unavailable through injury | Reduced flexibility across central and left-sided defensive positions |
| Jorrel Hato | Unavailable through injury | Fewer alternatives on the left side of defense |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Unavailable through injury | Reduced attacking and defensive options on the right flank |
| Brian Brobbey | Withdrawn because of fitness concerns | Attacking depth reduced; no direct defensive replacement required |
The significant point is the accumulation of absences across different positions. Van Dijk’s withdrawal is the most prominent change, but Xavi is already working with fewer defensive choices than he would ideally prefer.
His appointment was part of a wider attempt to reshape Dutch soccer after the World Cup. TSE’s examination of Xavi Hernández’s appointment through the 2030 World Cup explored the longer-term expectations surrounding his coaching philosophy.
That project now faces an immediate competitive test. The Netherlands need results against opponents capable of punishing defensive uncertainty.
Why James Hill Has Earned His First England Call-Up
Hill’s selection rewards a sustained improvement in his standing at Bournemouth.
The defender joined the south-coast club from Fleetwood Town in January 2022 and gradually worked his way into a more prominent first-team role.
His progress has accelerated as Bournemouth have become increasingly competitive in the Premier League and European competition.
The club confirmed that Hill’s first senior England invitation follows a run of eight consecutive victories across all competitions.
Bournemouth also reported six successive clean sheets and only two goals conceded during that eight-match winning sequence.
Those figures offer substantial context for Hill’s recognition. Although defensive records are collective achievements, consistency in a back line producing that level of protection strengthens an individual defender’s case for international consideration.
The official Bournemouth announcement confirmed that Hill would join England for the fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
Having previously represented England at under-20 and under-21 level, he now has an opportunity to demonstrate whether his development can translate into senior international competition.
Why Hill’s Selection Matters After Bournemouth’s Defensive Run
Bournemouth’s recent form gives Hill a persuasive argument for inclusion beyond the immediate injury situation.
Six consecutive clean sheets suggest a team defending effectively over a meaningful sequence of matches.
The two goals conceded across eight victories produce a calculated average of just 0.25 goals conceded per match.
That is an impressive collective return, particularly for a club competing in a league where opponents can expose minor positioning errors and lapses in concentration.
Hill’s challenge with England will be adapting to different teammates, tactical instructions and international opposition.
He will have considerably less preparation time than he receives during a typical club training week.
Tuchel therefore has to judge whether Hill’s current confidence and familiarity with competitive pressure outweigh the benefits of selecting defenders who already understand England’s senior system.
Why England’s Defensive Changes Have Created an Opening
Hill’s arrival follows a series of adjustments to Tuchel’s original squad.
Marc Guéhi withdrew because of injury and was replaced by Newcastle United defender Dan Burn. Konsa is unavailable against Croatia while continuing an individual program, with the possibility of returning to full training ahead of the Spain fixture.
Hill provides another option as England prepare for two matches with very different tactical demands.
Croatia will try to avoid another heavy defeat after losing 7-0 to England in October. Spain, meanwhile, possess the technical quality to test England’s defensive positioning, midfield protection and ability to manage pressure over sustained periods.
Tuchel had already introduced several new players in his original November selection, including Jobe Bellingham and Josh King.
TSE’s detailed examination of England’s squad, the Bellingham brothers and Cole Palmer’s omission explains the wider selection decisions facing the manager.
Hill’s call-up adds another candidate to that process, although there is no guarantee he will receive playing time.
How England and the Netherlands Reached Their Qualification Tests
The two national teams enter the final international window in different positions.
The Netherlands lead Group A2 on eight points, level with Greece and three ahead of Germany. England occupy second place in Group A3 with nine points, three behind Spain.
Both countries have two group matches remaining.
| Measure | Netherlands | England |
|---|---|---|
| Group | League A, Group 2 | League A, Group 3 |
| Matches played | 4 | 4 |
| Wins | 2 | 3 |
| Draws | 2 | 0 |
| Defeats | 0 | 1 |
| Goals scored | 7 | 14 |
| Goals conceded | 5 | 3 |
| Goal difference | +2 | +11 |
| Points | 8 | 9 |
| Current group position | First | Second |
TSE statistical analysis: England have scored twice as many goals as the Netherlands through four matches, 14 compared with seven, while conceding two fewer. Their average goals conceded per match is 0.75, compared with 1.25 for the Dutch.
The figures do not mean that England are automatically the stronger defensive team. The opponents, circumstances and tactical demands have differed.
They do, however, reveal why the two call-ups carry different significance.
The Netherlands have not kept a clean sheet despite remaining unbeaten, making defensive stability an immediate concern. England have enjoyed a more convincing overall defensive record, but recent injuries threaten to disrupt the available combinations.
The Dutch recovered from a two-goal deficit against Greece in October, while a late contribution from Joshua Zirkzee secured victory over Serbia.
Those results were examined in TSE’s Nations League report on the Netherlands moving to the top of Group A2.
The earlier stages of Xavi’s tenure also provided important evidence of the team’s developing identity. In September, Mexx Meerdink scored twice against Serbia as the Netherlands secured their first victory under the former Barcelona coach. That performance featured in TSE’s wider Nations League analysis of Portugal, Norway and the Dutch campaign.
England’s progress has followed a different trajectory.
After opening with a 3-2 defeat against Spain, Tuchel’s side beat Czechia 2-0, thrashed Croatia 7-0 and defeated Czechia again by three unanswered goals.
The turnaround followed the testing opening match against Spain, which TSE examined in its England-Spain Nations League preview.
England’s response in Prague also demonstrated how quickly the group could change. The 2-0 victory over Czechia, analyzed in TSE’s subsequent Nations League results and standings report, helped restore the team’s qualification prospects.
What Do the Remaining Matches Mean for Both Defenders?
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Competitive Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs Croatia | November 12 | Wembley Stadium, London | England can secure quarterfinal qualification by avoiding defeat |
| Netherlands vs Greece | November 13 | Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam | Dutch victory would secure quarterfinal qualification |
| Spain vs England | November 15 | Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid | England’s challenge for first place could remain alive |
| Germany vs Netherlands | November 16 | Olympiastadion, Berlin | Final Group A2 qualification and placement consequences depend on preceding results |
The fixtures give both newcomers an opportunity to train alongside established international players while preparing for opponents with significant competitive objectives.
For Van den Berg, the Greece match may be particularly important because a Dutch victory would secure progression to the quarterfinals.
A draw or defeat would leave further questions to resolve against Germany.
Hill enters an England camp where the first priority is to confirm qualification against Croatia.
If England avoid defeat, their place in the knockout rounds will be secured. The final encounter against Spain could still determine their position in Group A3.
Spain have already secured quarterfinal qualification, and Luis de la Fuente has introduced new players of his own as the world champions prepare for the decisive international window.
TSE’s analysis of Spain’s three new call-ups and the challenge awaiting England provides the opposing perspective.
The possibilities for both defenders remain conditional. Selection establishes their international opportunity, but their coaches have not confirmed starting roles or debuts.
Can Van den Berg and Hill Become Regular Internationals?
A first call-up can begin a long international career, but it can also prove to be a brief opportunity created by a particular selection problem.
Van den Berg and Hill have already achieved something significant by earning recognition from their respective senior national teams.
Their long-term prospects will depend on several factors: continued club performances, fitness, adaptability to international tactics and the availability of established defenders.
For Van den Berg, playing alongside experienced Dutch internationals would provide an opportunity to demonstrate his defensive judgment and ability to operate within Xavi’s system.
His development also comes at a time when the Netherlands are seeking to restore their position among international soccer’s leading teams following a disappointing World Cup campaign.
For Hill, the opportunity comes within an England squad containing established names and other players competing for defensive positions.
Tuchel has shown an interest in evaluating younger footballers who are performing consistently for their clubs. Hill’s selection fits that approach.
The challenge is particularly demanding because England’s ambitions extend beyond simply qualifying for the next Nations League round.
The team finished third at the World Cup after a campaign containing both impressive performances and important defensive lessons. England’s remarkable 6-4 victory over France in the bronze-medal match illustrated its attacking potential and the challenges that can arise in open contests.
Jude Bellingham’s decisive contribution against Norway also demonstrated how individual performances can change the course of major knockout matches. TSE’s report on Bellingham’s two-goal quarterfinal performance remains another example of the level England expect from their leading players.
For a defender trying to establish himself internationally, the demands are no less substantial.
Positioning, concentration and communication become particularly important when opponents possess the attacking quality of Spain.
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Why was Sepp van den Berg called up by the Netherlands?
Van den Berg received his first senior Netherlands call-up after Virgil van Dijk withdrew because of fitness concerns. The Brentford defender joins Xavi Hernández’s squad for matches against Greece and Germany.
Has Sepp van den Berg played for the Netherlands senior team?
No. Van den Berg had not earned a senior international cap at the time of his first selection on November 10, 2026.
Why did James Hill receive his first England call-up?
Hill was selected after strong performances for Bournemouth and with England managing defensive availability problems, including Ezri Konsa’s absence against Croatia.
Has James Hill represented England before?
Hill previously represented England at under-20 and under-21 level. His November selection is his first involvement with the senior national team.
Will Van den Berg replace Virgil van Dijk in the starting lineup?
That has not been confirmed. Van den Berg replaces Van Dijk in the squad, but Xavi Hernández will decide his defensive lineup before each match.
Will James Hill make his England debut against Croatia?
Hill is eligible for selection, but Thomas Tuchel has not confirmed that he will start or appear against Croatia.
What do England need to reach the Nations League quarterfinals?
England can secure their quarterfinal place by avoiding defeat against Croatia at Wembley. Their final match against Spain could influence which team finishes first in Group A3.
What do the Netherlands need to qualify?
A victory over Greece would secure the Netherlands’ place in the Nations League quarterfinals. Other outcomes would leave qualification dependent on remaining results and applicable tiebreakers.
What Comes Next for the Premier League Pair?
The immediate prize for Van den Berg and Hill is the chance to take part in senior international training camps and compete for selection against major European opponents.
Neither player can know whether his first invitation will lead to a debut during this window. Both can influence how their coaches assess the available defensive options beyond it.
For the Netherlands, the priority is to maintain their unbeaten Nations League campaign while compensating for the absence of their captain.
For England, Tuchel must secure qualification and prepare for Spain without allowing defensive disruption to undermine his team’s recent progress.
Van den Berg and Hill have reached the same career milestone through different circumstances. What happens during the next two matches will help determine whether either opportunity becomes the beginning of a sustained international career.
