Netherlands World Cup 2022 squad guide: Full fixtures, group, ones to watch, odds and more
Van Gaal has brought stability to the Netherlands in what is his third spell in charge
Although they squeezed past Turkey and Norway in qualifying, their Nations League results since have shown promise – including a thumping 4-2 win over rivals Belgium. Indeed, after qualifying for the Nations League finals there is an argument that the Dutch are the most in-form European side heading into the World Cup. With Van Gaal set to step down once again after the World Cup, can he leave the nation with another memorable and unexpected run?
Here is everything you need to know:
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Group results (all times GMT)
Monday 21 November: Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
Friday 25 November: Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
Tuesday 29 November: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
Knock-out phase fixtures
Saturday 3 December, 15:00: Netherlands vs Group B runners-up
Confirmed Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (sc Heerenveen)
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind(Ajax), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale), Mathijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong(Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV)
Forwards: Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp FC), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Beşiktaş)
Ones to watch
Star – Virgil van Djik: An ACL injury cruelly denied the Liverpool defender his first appearance at a major tournament when he missed Euro 2020, and he will relish the opportunity of playing in Qatar. He remains one of the world’s top defenders, returning to his best last season, and although there have been question marks this campaign – the presence of the colossus helps bring certainty and assurance to the side that was missing at the Euros.
Van Dijk will lead the Netherlands at his first World Cup
Breakout talent – Cody Gakpo: Manchester United sniffed around the PSV winger this summer and their interest was mirrorer by a host of other Premier League sides. Homegrown talent rarely stays in the Eredivisie for long and the 23-year-old certainty seems to be the next one off the block. A tall, rangy forward who looks to cut inside onto his right foot and is not shy of shooting at goal, he is among the top goalscorers in Europe this season.
Odds to win the World Cup (taken from Betfair)
13/1
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Prediction
The Netherlands should top Group A and could catch the eye in the early stages of the World Cup with goals and entertaining football that may even have some talking up Van Gaal’s side as dark horses. The Dutch’s favourable draw should extend to the round of 16, where they could face Wales or the United States unless England make a mess of Group B. However there is a reason why the Netherlands aren’t quite in the top tier of World Cup contenders, and that could be found out in the quarter-finals, probably by Argentina. Defeated in the quarter-finals.
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