International career
Despite being in the preliminary squad, Huntelaar was not chosen for the Dutch national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Coach Marco Van Basten explained that he felt Huntelaar would benefit from more experience and from playing at the UEFA Under 21 football championships, going as far as to say that it was up to Huntelaar to "show us there that [by not selecting Huntelaar] we did not do the right thing." While Holland went on to score no goals against quality opposition in Germany, Huntelaar led the Dutch to victory as the top-scorer of the Under 21 tournament with four goals, including a brace in the final against Ukraine.
Marco Van Basten decided to call Huntelaar as his starting striker in the Dutch National squad's friendly against the Republic of Ireland on August 16, 2006. Huntelaar paid immediate dividends by scoring two goals (another one was disallowed by an incorrect off-side call by the referee, denying him the hat-trick), and making two assists, in Holland's 4-0 victory.