No country will be as eager to wash away the memories of the previous World Cup as the Netherlands. The evening of an almost spectacular comeback in the quarter-finals ended with the orange delegation being driven from the field in disgrace by Lionel Messi and Co.
Furthermore, the Dutch will enter the final edition as the best team never to lift the trophy, having reached the final three times (1974, 1978 and 2010). But the days of Johan Cruyff and Total Football, which took the world by storm, are long gone. What remains is head coach Ronald Koeman, who wants to restore the country as a football superpower in his second spell, with a talented and balanced squad at his disposal.
An uneventful run to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 should provide encouragement for Koeman, who has largely stuck with the same core. Frenkie De Jong is the most talked-about player after an injury kept him out of continental competition. Now coming off a double-trophy season at Barcelona, the 29-year-old looks ready to run the show alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders.
The Netherlands’ biggest strength, however, is their defence, anchored by the experienced legs of Virgil Van Dijk, Nathan Aké and Denzel Dumfries, although the injured Matthijs de Ligt will be a big miss.
However, the Dutch do not have a well-rounded striker, but rather have players who can deliver match-winning performances, such as all-time top scorer Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst – the architect behind his country’s near comeback against Argentina four years ago.
Player to watch out for: Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s towering centre-back has come under the scanner several times this season, but no one can take away from the fact that he has been one of the best in the business. The 34-year-old is not only a danger to dribble past, but also provides an aerial threat from set pieces, which is worth its weight in gold in a knockout tournament.
Virgil van Dijk gives the Netherlands a serious goal threat in set pieces. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Virgil van Dijk gives the Netherlands a serious goal threat in set pieces. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Manager
Ronald Koeman has already proven he has the mettle to build a successful team, having helped the Netherlands qualify for Euro 2020, their first major tournament appearance since the 2014 World Cup. Now in his second spell as Netherlands coach, the 63-year-old has already shown promising signs at the 2024 European Championship and looks to bring back an organized attacking identity to the side that has long been accused of abandoning its hallowed Total Football style.
Fact file
Performances: 11
Best result: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010)
FIFA ranking: 7
MP: 55
W: 30
D: 14
L: 11
GV: 96
GE: 52
Highest active scorer: Memphis Depay (55)
Full team
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Goalkeepers: Mark Fleks, Robin Roefs, Bart Verbruggen
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Defenders: Nathan Aké, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jorrel Hato, Jurriën Timber, Micky van de Ven
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Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners, Tijjani Reijnders, Quinten Timber, Guus Til, Mats Wieffer, Marten de Roon
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Forwards: Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Cryscencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
Predicted XI (3-5-2)
Bart Verbruggen (gk), Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries, Jurriën Timber, Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay
Published on June 8, 2026
