Orange Lion Roar

The Netherlands comes to the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the USA, and Canada with an insatiable hunger for the title. The "Orange" team has reached the World Cup final three times, in 1974, 1978, and 2010, but each time finished as runners-up.

Now, Ronald Koeman has returned to North America with the ambitious orange lions aiming to seize the championship trophy for the first time. Koeman, who was known during his playing days for his powerful free kicks, brings a combination of experienced senior players and young players who are beginning to reach maturity as athletes.

The former FC Barcelona coach regenerated the Dutch players after less than satisfactory results at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. After being runners-up in 2010, the Netherlands still managed to become third winners at the 2014 World Cup.

The Orange Team was shattered after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. They attempted to rise again at the 2022 World Cup but faced a bitter pill after losing in a penalty shootout with a score of 3-4 (2-2) against Argentina, which subsequently emerged as the champion.

People may not see us as the favorite team to win the World Cup. However, the strength of the Netherlands lies in our ability to defeat anyone due to the capabilities of our squad.

Therefore, Koeman wants to build a fresher, faster, stronger, and more aggressive team by incorporating young players such as Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool/24), Brian Brobbey (Sunderland/24), Micky van den Ven (Tottenham/25), and Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland/25).

Koeman tested the combination of senior and young players in the 2024 European Championship and the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League. In the European Championship, the Netherlands struggled during the group stage, only managing to advance through the best third-place teams. However, Virgil van Dijk and his teammates successfully made their way to the semifinals, before being stopped by England with a score of 1-2.

In the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands' progress has also been faltering due to difficulties in securing victories. From six matches, the Netherlands has only won twice, drawn three times, and lost once. Although they advanced as the team in second place, the Netherlands' journey was ultimately halted by Spain in the quarter-finals through a penalty shootout with a score of 4-5.

Although it has not yet yielded a trophy, Koeman remains consistent with the formula he has devised. The 63-year-old coach studies various successes and failures of his team to formulate a better formation.

The results are evident in the European World Cup qualifiers. The Netherlands performed very aggressively and consistently dominated the game, remaining unbeaten in eight matches, with six victories and two draws. The goal productivity of the Oranje was also impressive, scoring 27 goals in eight matches, averaging 3.375 goals per match.

In addition to a sharp attacking line, the Netherlands also possesses an extraordinary defense. They have conceded only four goals in eight matches, or just once in two matches. With high goal productivity and a strong defense, the Netherlands has recorded a surplus of 23 goals.

That outstanding performance boosted Koeman's confidence ahead of the World Cup. Although the Netherlands is not favored as one of the candidates for the world championship, Koeman remains confident that his team can defeat anyone who becomes their opponent.

"People may not see us as the favorite team to win the World Cup. However, the strength of the Netherlands is that we can defeat anyone due to the capabilities of our squad," said Koeman to FIFA.

Unlike the favored champion teams that boast brilliant star players, the Netherlands does not have any exceptionally shining star players. However, the 1988 European Championship winner has a strong squad in every line.

Most of the Dutch players represent clubs in the English Premier League, Serie A, and the Dutch League. A small number of others are spread across the German League, French League, Turkish League, and Brazilian League.

The experience of competing in competitive leagues, combined with excellent technical skills and stamina, often makes players from the Netherlands reliable assets for their respective clubs. In the goalkeeper position, Bart Verbruggen from Brighton & Hove Albion has always been a mainstay for the Oranje.

In the defensive position, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, Jurrien Timber, Nathan Ake, and Denzel Dumfries are the mainstays of the Dutch defense. Their discipline and speed often make it difficult for opposing players to carry the ball close to the penalty area.

In the midfield, Ryan Gravenberg, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders, and Teun Koopmeiners are often deployed to facilitate the flow of the ball to the front line while also serving as the first line of defense to thwart the opponent's attacks.

In the front line, the Netherlands has many options. Cody Gakpo typically operates on the left side while Donyell Malen penetrates from the right. The center forward position can be filled by Wout Weghorst or Memphis Depay. All of the Netherlands' forwards possess sharpness and a high instinct for scoring goals.

The absence of a dominant star player actually makes it difficult for opponents to mark one of the key players from the Netherlands, as the Orange team can score from all angles, including from outside the penalty area, which they do quite frequently.

Throughout the World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches, Koeman has relied on two main formations, namely 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. The 4-2-3-1 formation is consistently used against opponents deemed stronger or equal, such as Poland, Finland, and Norway. Meanwhile, the 4-3-3 formation is employed against weaker teams, such as Malta, Lithuania, and Ecuador.

When using a 4-3-3 formation, Cody Gakpo and his teammates played very offensively, employing their signature total football style. Their high defensive line made it difficult for opponents to develop their play. Furthermore, the Dutch often employed a flanking tactic, resulting in their players outnumbering the opposing team defending that side.

When facing an equal or stronger opponent, the Netherlands opts to strengthen their defense first with a 4-2-3-1 formation before organizing a more effective attack. Attacks are more frequently channeled through the wings before penetrating the penalty area. With their quick and accurate transition from left to right, the Oranje often scores goals from spaces that are not well-guarded by the opposing defenders due to their late return.

At the announcement of the Dutch squad on Wednesday (27/5/2026), midfielder Xavi Simons and defender Jeremie Frimpong, who have frequently represented the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers, were not called up by Koeman. Both have not yet recovered from their injuries, making it impossible for them to be included.

On the other hand, Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert, and Jurrien Timber have been called up to the national team again as they have recovered from injuries they sustained in recent months. West Ham midfielder, Crysencio Summerville, has also been called up to the Dutch national team for the first time.

With a balanced quality of players in every line, Denzel Dumfries is confident that the Oranye will be able to win the World Cup this time. According to Dumfries, the confidence and mentality of his teammates have grown significantly after being honed in various matches.

"We are better than four years ago and we will show it. We only have one target, which is to become world champions. We participate to win and have the players to make it happen. However, that is what we must demonstrate match by match. It is not easy, but we will do everything we can," said Dumfries. (AP)

Player line-up:

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).

Defender: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton).

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).