AMSTERDAM (AP) — Chelsea-bound Strasbourg forward Emmanuel Emegha got his first call-up from the Netherlands on Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Wout Weghorst ahead of decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying games.

The 22-year-old Emegha is cover for Ajax veteran Weghorst who will likely not be fit to face Poland on Friday.

A draw in Warsaw will effectively ensure the group-leading Netherlands advances to the World Cup ahead of a final qualifying game against Lithuania on Monday.

Emegha will join Chelsea after the World Cup staged in North America in a transfer agreed in September that angered Strasbourg fans. They are losing a star player to the parent club.

Strasbourg is seen as a feeder club in U.S.-backed holding company BlueCo’s ownership group. Chelsea also placed three young

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