Former PSV player not really looking forward to the World Cup yet: “That has to do with the political undertones”

Next week the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Netherlands national team is also taking part and during the group stage will be in action against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. 

In some supermarkets and clothing stores, the Orange craze is already clearly noticeable due to the orange products that are being sold. Also with a few commercials on television, there is already somewhat something to notice about the Orange craze.

With former PSV player Erik Meijer, now an analyst for Sky Sports Deutschland, there is still no real World Cup fever. This is also due to Meijer’s connection to American President Donald Trump.

This makes the born Limburger know in conversation with L1, the regional television broadcaster of Limburg. ''That has to do with the political load hanging over this tournament. And this time we have that to thank that man with blond hair and a big mouth. If they had asked me to analyze from the US during the tournament, I wouldn't have gone'', the former PSV player says clearly.

Meijer also goes further into his ideal front line. Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of fuss about the striker position, partly due to Memphis Depay’s shaky fitness and the excellent form of Donyell Malen.

Meijer sees Malen earlier as a right winger and argues for Cody Gakpo on the left, leaving the striker position available for the native Limburger Brian Brobbey. ''I think Brian Brobbey is an ideal striker. He is physically strong and has just had a good season in the Premier League. And in combination with the pace and goal threat of Gakpo and Malen from the flanks, it could be most interesting. Although I do understand that Koeman and Memphis are two peas in a pod,'' says the current analyst.