Last-chance saloon? Van Dijk and co. look to make a mark on the World Cup for the last time

Analysis

By Klaas-Jan Droppert for World Soccer in the 2026 World Cup Special, May 2026.

This Dutch era, led by coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk, may be drawing to a close – can the talented group make one last grab for glory?

The Netherlands will be playing at their 12th World Cup this summer, but the manner in which they got to the 2026 finals was not wholly convincing. With their main group rivals in qualification Poland losing to Finland early on, Ronald Koeman’s side were handed the initiative – which they grabbed with both hands thanks to an 8-0 thrashing of Malta. Yet two 1-1 draws with the Poles and a narrow 3-2 win in Lithuania meant that Oranje did not secure their spot in North America until the very last matchday.

It was a far cry from their UEFA Nations League performance earlier in 2025, when European champions Spain needed penalties to defeat the Dutch after a thrilling quarter-final that finished 5-5 on aggregate. The drop-off is a concern and hard to explain, given that more than half of the players called up by Koeman in the last year are playing in the Premier League, widely seen as the strongest top flight in the world.

There is a perception that these players can only lift themselves for the biggest occasions when on international duty. That, perhaps, would explain why the Netherlands have performed so well at recent tournaments. In Qatar, it took eventual champions Argentina to finally defeat them (and even then it was only on penalties) while Ollie Watkins’ lastgasp winner for England denied the Dutch a spot in the Euro 2024 final.

Whether the three-time World Cup finalists can make it to the latter stages again in a 48-team tournament in the scorching American heat remains to be seen. Fitness is likely to be an important factor, yet Koeman has kept faith with many of the tried and trusted – the key players are still the same as when the Netherlands lost the Nations League final to Portugal in 2019: Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries. In recent years, Tijjani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo have made vital contributions, and there are high hopes for more of the new, young generation. But cruelly, one of those members that Koeman would have been counting on, Xavi Simons, has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a serious ACL injury.

The task, then, that lies ahead for the coach is a tricky one, and perhaps a symbolic one too. It was in the USA at the 1994 World Cup that Koeman, a legendary former player for the Dutch team, won his 78th and final international cap. That came in a 3-2 quarter-final defeat to Brazil in Dallas, and this tournament will see him return to Texas for the Netherlands’ first game of the group stage in what could be his last hurrah. With his current deal set to expire at the end of this World Cup, both coach and the Dutch FA have decided to make a decision on his future after the tournament.

This World Cup, then, could not only be the end of an era for the Dutch, but also the start of an uncertain future.

Ronald Koeman's view

What is your coaching philosophy?

In the Netherlands, we are known for a footballing philosophy where tidy, attacking football is always a cornerstone. As a player you grow up with that, and in my career as a coach I have always been quite steadfast about that. Of course, you shift focus over the years and adapt for the best result, but the core principles remain largely the same. Additionally, I bring experience from major tournaments, as a player and a coach. Those experiences help in preparing this squad as thoroughly as possible for what is to come.

What are your memories of USA ’94?

It sticks in my mind primarily because of the extreme heat. We played two group matches in Orlando and later faced Brazil in Dallas; everywhere we went, we had to deal with those scorching conditions...The 1994 World Cup was also my last as a Dutch international. I was captain, and we were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Brazil...It remains harsh and characteristic of a major tournament, how abruptly it can all end after a single defeat. Now, over 30 years later, I am returning with the Dutch national team as head coach.

How do you assess your group?

Sweden showed in the play-offs that they deliver when it truly matters...Japan, whom we face in our opening match, are a very fit and disciplined side with several high-quality players. At the last World Cup, they won their group ahead of Spain and Germany – that alone speaks volumes...Tunisia might be less familiar to many people, but African nations have been getting stronger for years, and their qualification campaign proved that they are very hard to score against. We must be at our best from the very first match to get through.

How important is Frenkie de Jong?

Frenkie is important for every team that he plays in, and certainly for us. He is always available to receive the ball and makes a team play better with his qualities. Along with a number of other experienced players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, he is one of the leaders. He missed the last Euros due to injury, so he had to wait a bit longer for a major tournament. I know Frenkie well, also from my time at Barcelona, and I know what he brings to the table.

What is the Netherlands’ goal at the World Cup?

As the Dutch national team, we always enter a tournament to win it. How realistic that is remains to be seen. We aren’t the outright favourites, like countries that can choose from a much larger pool of top-tier players, but I firmly believe in the quality of our players and the strength of this squad. If we stay fit, if everything clicks, and if things go our way at the right moments – which is always necessary at a major tournament – then it could be a fantastic World Cup for us. At the same time, the focus is on the short term: a good start, progressing through the group stage, and letting confidence grow. That is ultimately the foundation for success.

Samindra Kunti

Tactics

Coach Ronald Koeman is known for his pragmatism, and his tactics will depend on both the opponent’s strength and the sweltering conditions. It means that the traditional Dutch 4-3-3, although still the most likely formation, could be exchanged for a 3-2-4-1 or a 5-2-3.

In goal, the inexperienced Robin Roefs is set to get the nod over Bart Verbruggen, who has failed to convince. In defence, Koeman has plenty of options to partner captain Virgil van Dijk, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Jurrien Timber and Stefan de Vrij all in contention. Micky van de Ven looks like the best option for the problematic left-back position, though both him and alternative Nathan Ake could also come into the thinking at centre-back. Denzel Dumfries is a no-brainer at right-back.

In midfield, Tijjani Reijnders partners Frenkie de Jong, but they don’t have a natural ball-winning holder to play with. The likeliest options seem to be Ryan Gravenberch or Quinten Timber.

Up front, Memphis Depay is certain to start and, following Xavi Simons’ serious knee injury, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen will be vying to play alongside him. Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst are alternatives as the No.9, but are mainly used as late subs to make the difference against flagging defences.

The View From the Netherlands

“Providing the Netherlands don’t finish third, these first three games are nothing more than friendly games. And only then the tournament starts and they will face either Morocco or Brazil in the next round. Two strong opponents, so this isn’t a good draw for the Netherlands.” - Pierre van Hooijdonk, ex-international striker and pundit at NOS

“Memphis Depay is the Dutch all-time top scorer but he is not among the best five Dutch strikers ever. You have to score important goals at big tournaments. You have to be decisive on those occasions. That’s where you create your legacy and people will remember you as a hero.” - Ruud Gullit, Euro ’88-winning captain

The Coach

Part of the Euro ’88-winning side – the only Dutch team to have won a trophy – and now in his second spell in charge of the national team after leaving in 2020 for his dream club Barcelona.

As a coach, he prefers results above beauty and isn’t afraid to criticise his players openly. Restored the national team’s pride with a Nations League final and a semi-final at Euro 2024. Could be his last dance as coach, and ironically it would be in the same tournament and place where he finished his national team career as a player. The decision will be made after the tournament.