All group games for the Dutch in Group F will be played in the USA. The “Oranje” are the clear favorites to win the group, but they don’t have any real “exotic footballers” as opponents in the preliminary round.
The most important players of the “Elftal” at the 2026 World Cup
- Memphis Depay (31, Atlético Madrid, market value: approx. 7 million euros): He not only scored the most Dutch goals in qualifying, but often also the most important ones: against Finland in a 1-0 win, in several games when his own team was weak. He takes responsibility, even from the penalty spot. However, against Japan he sat out.
- Cody Gakpo (26, Liverpool FC, market value: approx. 60 million euros): Gakpo scored four times in qualifying, three times from penalties. He is technically adept, robust and strong in the air, hardened in many games in the Premier League and the Champions League.
- Donyell Painting (26, Aston Villa, market value: approx. 45 million euros): The ex-Dortmunder likes to play in the half or wide positions, is fast, strong on the counterattack and dangerous in front of goal. He scored four times in qualifying, including twice in the 8-0 win against Malta.
- Virgil van Dijk (34, Liverpool FC, market value: approx. 15 million euros): The almost two meter tall van Dijk is the undisputed leader and captain of the “Elftal”. What’s more, he is extremely dangerous as a target player when the ball is at rest (as was already shown in the game against Japan). In running duels, however, you can guess that he is no longer as fast as he used to be.
- Tijjani Reijnders (27, AC Milan, market value: approx. 50 million euros): The midfielder scored twice (against Malta and Lithuania) in qualifying. His move towards the goal is key for “Oranje” because it creates space for the attackers.
This is the coach Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is the Netherlands’ bond coach for the second time. He was on the sidelines for his country between 2018 and 2020. As a player, Koeman played for all major Dutch clubs and also spent a long time at FC Barcelona. Koeman also got around as a coach: Amsterdam, Lisbon, Eindhoven, Valencia, Rotterdam, Southampton, Everton and Barcelona were his stops. His brother Erwin Koeman works at his side as an assistant, closely involved in training work, preparation and analysis.
Koeman has a very special rivalry with Germany. He was a libero for the Dutch national team in the late 80s and early 90s, which fought heated battles with the DFB team. At Euro 1988 in Germany, Holland knocked out the hosts in the semi-finals and went on to win the title in their arch-rival country. After the semi-final triumph, Koeman wiped himself clean in front of the stands with a German jersey. In 1990, however, he was eliminated in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Italy against the German team around Lothar Matthäus, Jürgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme.
That’s how the Dutch play
“Totaalvoetbal” – for decades “total football” was the only accepted way of playing the game in the Netherlands: constant changes of position within a 4-3-3 system and high pressing made Dutch football attractive. The really big titles remained rare, and it was never enough to win the World Cup.
After his predecessors Frank de Boer and Louis van Gaal had experimented with other systems (and failed), Koeman brought back the 4-3-3, but reinterpreted it: the full-backs move forward in a controlled manner, the center remains stable. Instead of constantly changing positions, the team relies on clear spatial division, targeted changes of pace and structured pressing. Holland plays particularly well against defensive opponents, but is vulnerable if the opponent starts early and high. However, it hurts that Xavi Simons, one of the best and most dangerous technicians, missed the World Cup due to injury.