By: ReutersOctober 7, 2025 12:55 AM IST 2 min readA win over Malta will see the Dutch take a three-point lead at the top of the group. (File Photo)Netherlands’ record scorer Memphis Depay will miss his country’s World Cup qualifier away to Malta on Thursday after saying his passport was stolen in Brazil, where he plays for Corinthians.Depay, 31, broke Robin van Persie’s record with two goals in the 3-2 victory away to Lithuania in the Netherlands’ last Group G qualifier, taking him to 52, but will miss a chance to boost his tally against Malta, who the Dutch beat 8-0 at home in June.He is expected to leave on Monday for Amsterdam having missed his scheduled Sunday departure.Story continues below this ad“The plan I had in mind for this week will ultimately change somewhat because of this,” coach Ronald Koeman told a Monday press conference. “He won’t start, no.”Earlier a statement from the Dutch FA said: “The player has announced that his passport was stolen, preventing him from making his scheduled flight from Brazil on Sunday evening.”“Memphis couldn’t find his passport in Brazil, he went to the airport without one but that didn’t work, even if you’re Memphis,” Koeman quipped.Asked if anything else had been stolen, the coach added: “No, just his passport but we have too good a relationship to think the story isn’t true.Story continues below this ad“Now he’s flying later on an emergency passport. He’ll be in the Netherlands by 9:30 on Tuesday morning. Everyone has the right to be late once in a while. No, it’s not a punishment.”On Sunday, the Dutch called up Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners as a replacement for the injured Quinten Timber.A win over Malta will see the Dutch take a three-point lead at the top of the group. They have 10 points from their opening four matches, ahead of Poland, who have a friendly on Thursday against New Zealand, on goal difference with a game in hand.The Netherlands also host Finland on Sunday, when Depay will likely feature. The group winners qualify for the finals in North America with the runners-up going into the playoffs.Tags:Memphis Depay