Netherlands' odds to win the World Cup
10/1
Best World Cup
Runner-up 1974, 1978, 2010
2018 World Cup
Did not qualify
Netherlands' World Cup Schedule
|
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
|
21st November 10am |
Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor |
|
|
25th November 4pm |
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan |
|
|
29th November 3pm |
Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor |
Road to Qatar
Netherlands were World Cup runners-up in 2010 and finished third in 2014, so they will be looking to rekindle former glories after failing to qualify for the finals in 2018. It looked like they might suffer a similar fate when they lost their opening qualifier 4-2 in Turkey, but that turned out to be their only defeat on their way to topping their group. They dropped further points when drawing in Norway and Montenegro, but crucially they inflicted a 6-1 thrashing over closest rivals Turkey, who would go on to lose a playoff to Portugal.
Recent form
Netherlands will arrive in Qatar full of confidence after enjoying some scintillating form since their comfortable qualification. A 4-2 friendly win over in-form Denmark preceded a 1-1 draw with Germany, but it was their 4-1 demolition of much-fancied Belgium in June that really caught the eye. That victory launched an impressive Nations League campaign that saw them top a group that also included Wales and Poland, winning five and drawing the other of their six games, and culminating in another 1-0 success in the return fixture against Belgium in their final game.
Netherlands World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen), Remko Pasveer (Ajax).
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Man City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Man Utd), Jurrien Timber (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan).
Midfielders: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Xavi Simons (PSV), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax).
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noah Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas).
Team insights
Probable formation: 3-4-1-2 Louis van Gaal's third spell at the helm of his national team has seen an energised resurgence of attacking Dutch football, built on a stable and talented back three of quality defenders who are encouraged to bring the ball out. Talismanic captain Virgil van Dijk is the defensive foundation upon which the Netherlands' attacking threat is built, and his partnership with Matthijs de Ligt will be instrumental to Dutch success. Denzel Dumfries took the 2020 Euros by storm with his surging runs from right wing-back, and he'll be given similar freedom to push forward and link with the attacking threats offered by Steven Berghuis, Steven Bergwijn along Barcelona's Memphis Depay, if fit in time.
World Cup prospects
According to the betting market, the Netherlands are expected to reach the quarter-final stage, but they have the talent and the strength in depth to go beyond that. They should cruise through their qualifying group, although their tricky opener against Senegal might well determine who tops the group to earn a potentially easier path through the next phase. The way they brushed aside much-fancied Belgium home and away in their Nations League campaign ensures that no team will relish an encounter with the flying Dutchmen. Best hope: Potential dark horse finalists
Read more about each of Netherlands' Group A opponents: