Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk is left feeling uncomfortable after taking a blow during Saturday’s 5-1 World Cup defeat to Sweden, but hopes the injury is not serious enough to keep him out of the team’s final pool match against Tunisia.
The Netherlands recovered from a 2-2 draw against Japan to inflict a heavy defeat on the Swedes in Houston and will fancy their chances of top spot in Group F when they play hapless, already eliminated Tunisia in Kansas City on Thursday.
“I got a hard blow on my hip and I couldn’t feel my thigh anymore, so that was a bit strange,” said Van Dijk. NOS. «But it was probably just a pinched nerve. I think it’s not too bad, but we’ll see soon.»
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Center back Van Dijk remains a key figure for coach Ronald Koeman and could become the Dutch player with the most World Cup appearances as captain when he plays against the Tunisians.
He currently has seven, level with Johan Cruyff, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Frank de Boer and Ruud Krol, and if he leads again this World Cup he will slip clear onto the all-time list.
He’s not the only injury concern. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong came into the match against Sweden doubtful, but played almost an hour before being substituted.
“We had a collision during training, and I was also involved in that,” De Jong said. «I suffered some damage from it, but in the end it wasn’t too bad. We’ll see what the reaction will be, but I’m confident.»
The victory extended the Netherlands’ unbeaten run at the World Cup to fourteen matches, excluding penalty shootouts. The Netherlands thus passed Brazil (1958-1966) for the longest undefeated streak in the history of the tournament.
The last time they lost a match outright was the 2010 final against Spain, when they lost 1-0 in Soweto, South Africa.
After two rounds of play, the Netherlands is currently at the top of Group F with four points, the same as Japan. Both teams have a difference of +4 goal difference, although the Dutch have scored one more goal.
Japan will play Sweden in its final match, where the latter could still top the group despite the heavy defeat to the Netherlands if they win and Tunisia hold the Netherlands to a draw.
Published on June 21, 2026
