Coach Bert van Marwijk has named his son-in-law Mark van Bommel as the new Netherlands captain before their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against San Marino on Friday.
For the match away to San Marino Van Marwijk will have to make at least four changes to the team from the World Cup final seven weeks ago.
In defence Ron Vlaar is expected to replace the suspended John Heitinga and Vurnon Anita is likely to take Van Bronckhorst's place.
The choice Van Marwijk has to make in his attack, where he needs to replace the injured Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, will be more difficult.
Eljero Elia, who did well during most of the appearances he made during the World Cup as a substitute, is likely to replace Robben but for the position of central striker Van Marwijk has three options.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar seems the most logical choice, as Dirk Kuyt is preferred to fill in one of the wing positions, but since Ruud van Nistelrooy is back in the squad, Van Marwijk might prefer the 34-year-old who has been in good form for Hamburg SV.
Van Nistelrooy did not made the World Cup squad but was recalled after Van Persie pulled out injured. "I'm glad to be back in the squad after two years, though I still believe that I could have been valuable during the World Cup," the striker, who retired from internationals after Euro 2008, told reporters. "But now I'm more fit and sharp than in May this year so I fully understood the decision of Van Marwijk.
"There is a chance that if Van Persie is fit again the coach will not invite me, so I hope to show that I still can be valuable for this Dutch team." Probable team:
Probable team: Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, Ron Vlaar, Joris Mathijsen, Vurnon Anita; Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong, Eljero Elia; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
In other news, Arteta 'ineligible' for England
In recent weeks there has been a campaign growing around the Everton midfielder, who had been led to believe he would be eligible for England after completing five years residency in the United Kingdom. However, it now transpires Arteta is almost certainly not eligible at all.
"Under our understanding of FIFA rules the player is ineligible to play for England," said an FA spokesman.
While world governing body FIFA are anxious not to pre-judge any request from the FA, it has been pointed out the rules on previously appearing for national sides do not cover full internationals alone.
The little known Article 18.1.a within the FIFA statutes outlines that any player who has represented their country in an official competition, at whatever level, would at that time need to have held a passport for the country they later wish to play for in order to be permitted to make the switch.
In Arteta's case, because he played for Spain in the Under-16 European Championships and then in the FIFA World Championships at Under-17 level, the only way he could satisfy the current criteria is if he held a UK passport at the same time.
It hardly seems likely a 28-year-old from San Sebastian would have gained such a document over a decade ago, which means that even if an application to FIFA was made on the FA's behalf, it would automatically be rejected.
This news is bound to come as a blow to Arteta, and maybe even Capello.
