Depay – Foto: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com
Corinthians striker Memphis Depay claimed to have had his passport stolen and delayed his trip to join the Netherlands national team. The incident occurred in São Paulo, preventing his scheduled departure on the evening of Sunday, October 5, 2025. The Dutch Football Association confirmed the event and anticipates a swift resolution to the issue.
Depay was called up by coach Ronald Koeman for the European Qualifiers matches for the 2026 World Cup, against Malta on the 9th and Finland on the 12th.
The situation prompted official statements from the entity, highlighting the player’s efforts to join the group.
- The theft happened after Depay’s return to training with Corinthians, where he recovered from a right thigh edema.
- The Dutch national team leads Group G with 10 points in four matches.
- Koeman regretted the episode but prioritized the athlete’s arrival at training.
🚨 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗬 🇳🇱 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗤𝗨𝗘́ 𝗔𝗨 𝗕𝗥𝗘́𝗦𝗜𝗟… 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 ! 🪪❌🤯
Le Néerlandais s’est fait 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱’𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗲́ et n’a pas pu embarquer depuis le Brésil pour le rassemblement des Oranje. 🇧🇷✈️
Il tente… pic.twitter.com/eIKWEcR6Eb
— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) October 6, 2025
Recent Recovery Boosts Depay’s Return
Memphis Depay returned to the field for Corinthians on Saturday, October 4, in the 3-0 victory over Mirassol in the Brazilian Championship. The player came on in the second half and played without complications after his medical hiatus. The right thigh injury kept him out of four previous games.
His recent performance at the Brazilian club reinforces his importance to the national team, where he has 52 goals and leads the all-time scoring chart.
Expectations for the Qualifiers Matches
The Netherlands faces Malta away on Thursday, October 9, at 3:45 PM Brasília time, aiming to maintain the group lead. The matchup continues with the home game against Finland on Sunday, October 12, at 1:00 PM.
Depay is expected to start on the bench against Malta due to the travel delay.
The team led by Koeman has accumulated convincing wins in the campaign, with a positive goal difference.
The player expressed his intent to travel in the coming days, as per the federation’s note.
Depay’s History with the Dutch National Team
Memphis Depay debuted for the Netherlands in 2013 and participated in the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. In September 2025, he scored his 52nd goal, surpassing Robin van Persie as the all-time top scorer.
Netherlands’ Current Standing in Group G
The Dutch national team has 10 points from four matches played in the qualifiers. The team drew 1-1 with Poland in the previous round.
- Isolated leader with a +8 goal difference.
- Malta sits at the bottom with zero points.
- Finland is in third place with four points.
Koeman called up 26 players for the FIFA date, including names like Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong. The group seeks direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Federation Statements on the Setback
The Dutch Football Association issued an official note informing about Depay’s passport theft. The document was lost in Brazil, complicating immediate boarding.
Impact on Team Planning
Ronald Koeman began training without the full squad due to the striker’s absence. The initial unavailability affects preparations for the Malta clash.
Depay is training separately at Corinthians while resolving the documentation.
Depay’s Career at Corinthians
The Dutchman joined the club in 2024 and has played 25 matches so far. He has scored eight goals and provided four assists in the Brazilian Championship.
His adaptation to Brazilian football has occurred amid frequent call-ups.
Next Steps for the Player
Depay must obtain a new passport through the Dutch embassy in São Paulo. The expectation is for departure by Tuesday, October 7.
Corinthians is releasing the athlete without restrictions following the episode.
