Netherlands

No major footballing nation carries a heavier weight of near-misses than the Netherlands. Three World Cup finals: 1974, 1978, and 2010 — and three defeats. The most famous footballing philosophy ever conceived, Total Football, was born in Dutch football and revolutionised the game. Cruyff, Neeskens, Van Basten, Gullit, Bergkamp, Seedorf — the list of legendary Dutch footballers reads like a who's who of the sport. And yet, a World Cup has always remained just out of reach.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Netherlands arrive with a squad that mixes experience with genuine world-class quality. Under Ronald Koeman — a World Cup runner-up as a player with the Netherlands in 1994 — this Dutch team believe they have what it takes to end more than five decades of hurt.

The Backbone: Van Dijk and Ter Stegen's Rival in Goal

Virgil van Dijk is one of the greatest defenders of his generation. At 34, the Liverpool captain remains dominant in the air, composed in possession, and commanding as an organiser. His presence alone lifts an entire team. When van Dijk is fully fit and at his best, the Netherlands become a much harder team to score against.

In goal, Bart Verbruggen has established himself as a reliable international goalkeeper. His distribution — critical for a team that builds from the back in the Dutch tradition — is excellent, and his shot-stopping has improved significantly at international level.

The Midfield: Reijnders and Friends

Tijjani Reijnders — the AC Milan midfielder — has emerged as one of the most dynamic central players in European football. His energy, technical quality, and eye for goal from deep positions make him a threat in both phases of play. His emergence as a true world-class talent has coincided with Netherlands performing much better in their qualifying campaign and Nations League games.

Frenkie de Jong, when fit, provides the creative link between defence and attack that has always been the hallmark of great Dutch midfields. His ability to find space, carry the ball through pressure, and play incisive passes into the final third is central to how Koeman wants his team to operate.

The Attack: Gakpo and the Final Third

Cody Gakpo — now established at Liverpool — has developed into one of Europe's most dangerous wide forwards. His combination of physical strength, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing makes him a genuine match-winner. At the 2022 World Cup, he was the Netherlands' best player — scoring three goals before they fell to Argentina in the quarterfinals in one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts in tournament history.

Memphis Depay, though in the latter stages of his career, brings experience and a different attacking profile — direct, individual, capable of the unexpected. Alongside Gakpo and whichever midfielder Koeman deploys in an advanced role, the Netherlands can hurt any team in the world.

The 2022 Quarter-Final Ghost

That Argentina defeat lingers. Leading 2-0 going into the final minutes, the Netherlands were cruelly pegged back through two late Messi assists before losing on penalties. It was the kind of defeat that damages a team psychologically — particularly for the experienced players who went through it.

The 2026 squad has the benefit of several new faces who were not part of that heartbreak. Fresh perspective, combined with the motivation of the surviving class of 2022, could be exactly what the Netherlands need.

The Verdict

The Netherlands in 2026 are a top-eight team, almost certainly. A top-four team on their best days. Whether they can go all the way and end their long wait depends on the draw, on Gakpo and Reijnders hitting top form simultaneously, and on whether Van Dijk's defensive excellence can keep them in games until the decisive moments. The wait for a Dutch World Cup title enters a 48th year, but this might be the year it finally ends.