Mats Wieffer 'definitely deserves' Netherlands recall for World Cup, Fabian Hurzeler says

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsHave Chelsea Improved Under Rosenior?Kinsky's Tottenham ReturnMan Utd's UCL HopesMats Wieffer ‘definitely deserves’ Netherlands recall for World Cup, Fabian Hurzeler saysWieffer scored both goals during Brighton's win against Burnley Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Share full articleBrighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler says Mats Wieffer deserves to be recalled to the Netherlands squad for this summer’s World Cup. Wieffer scored both goals in Brighton’s 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday to keep them on course for a late push for Europe. The 26-year-old made the last of 14 senior appearances for his country in June 2025, 11 months after joining Brighton from Feyenoord for £25million. Hurzeler has successfully converted Wieffer from a midfielder into a right-back. “We want him to have the freedom to attack spaces like a midfielder and we know that is one of his strengths,” Hurzeler said during his post-match press conference. “He has developed really well as a full-back, because he has this freedom to join in as a central midfielder and defensively he is very physical. “He is dynamic and for me, at the moment, he is one of the best Dutch players in the world, so hopefully he has a chance to go to the World Cup because he definitely deserves it.” Wieffer converted a cross from Pascal Gross in the 43rd minute and clinched Brighton’s fifth win in six league games with a shot from the edge of the area in the 89th minute. Brighton’s third away victory in succession with a clean sheet has lifted them up a place to ninth, a point behind Everton (eighth) and Brentford (seventh). They are two points adrift of Chelsea in sixth and three points below Liverpool in the Champions League places. Hurzeler completes a two-match touchline ban and skipper Lewis Dunk a two-match suspension for ten bookings when Brighton face Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday in former Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi’s first home game in charge of the relegation-haunted hosts. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Andy Naylor worked for 32.5 years on the sports desk of The Argus, Brighton’s daily newspaper. For the last 25 of those years he was chief sports reporter, primarily responsible for coverage of Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyNaylorBHAFC