MEMPHIS DEPAY was unable to report for Netherlands duty on Monday due to a stolen passport.
The former Manchester United star, 31, now plays his club football with Brazilian side Corinthians.
He was due to fly out of South America to join up with boss Ronald Koeman and his players on Sunday night.
But when Depay packed his bags, his passport was nowhere to be found.
He even turned up to the airport just in case security would let him through – but they didn’t.
The updated plan is for Depay to travel on emergency documents and arrive a day later than scheduled.
That, according to Koeman, has cost the Netherlands’ record goal-scorer his place in the starting line-up for Thursday’s clash with Malta.
The manager said: “The plan I had in mind for this week will change a bit. He won’t start, no.
“When he wanted to leave for the airport, about an hour beforehand, he packed his things and couldn’t find his passport.
“This is unfortunate – first and foremost for Memphis, but also for us.
“You naturally want to start preparing for an international break with a full squad.”
With 52 goals for his country, Depay overtook Robin van Persie as the Netherlands’ leading scorer earlier this year.
Although he may have to make do with a bit-part role in the Malta clash, Depay could be reinstated for the match against Finland three days later.
His absence in the starting XI could have presented an opportunity to fellow forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Brian Brobbey.
But United star Zirkzee and Sunderland newcomer Brobbey didn’t even make the squad.
And Koeman insists that won’t change until they start playing regularly again.
He said: “Eventually, when they start playing more, they’ll remain options, but we’re also looking further afield.”
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