Group F · Match 11Full time
- V. van Dijk 51'
- C. Summerville 61'
- C. Summerville 64'
- M. Depay 83'
- M. van de Ven 90'+1'
- K. Nakamura 57'
- D. Kamada 89'
Netherlands
Group FFIFA ranking #7UEFANED
3× finalists · 12th appearance
Profile
Three times a beaten finalist — 1974, 1978, 2010 — the Netherlands remain the best team never to have won the World Cup, a title that both haunts and motivates a fiercely proud footballing nation. Ronald Koeman's experienced squad is built on a rock-solid spine: Virgil van Dijk brings Champions League pedigree and the authority of Liverpool's defensive backbone; Frenkie de Jong controls midfield with the vision and press resistance that made him one of Barcelona's most important players; Cody Gakpo has evolved into Liverpool's most consistent forward. The Oranje face Japan in their group opener in Dallas — a heavyweight tactical battle that could define the group. Sweden and Tunisia make up a genuinely competitive Group F, but the Netherlands' blend of experience, technical quality and tactical flexibility under Koeman make them solid favourites to advance and mount a serious challenge for the knockout rounds and beyond.
Netherlands fixtures
Group F · Match 35Full time
- B. Brobbey 5'
- B. Brobbey 17'
- C. Gakpo 47'
- C. Gakpo 54'
- C. Summerville 89'
- G. Gudmundsson 53'
- A. Elanga 59'
- Y. Ayari 75'
- L. Bergvall 80'
Group F · Match 58Full time
- H. Mastouri 54'
- E. Skhiri (OG) 3'
- B. Brobbey 7'
- J. van Hecke 62'
Round of 32 · Match 76AET · Pens
- C. Gakpo 72'
- T. Koopmeiners (P) 120'
- W. Weghorst (P) 120'
- I. Diop 47'
- I. Diop 90'+1'
- S. Rahimi (P) 120'
- C. Talbi (P) 120'
- I. Saibari (P) 120'
Players to watch
Virgil van Dijk
Defender · Liverpool
Widely regarded as the best centre-back in the world in his prime, Van Dijk transformed Liverpool into European champions with his commanding presence and ball-playing ability. Now Dutch captain, his leadership, aerial dominance and vocal organisation of the defence make him one of the most important players Netherlands have ever had.
Frenkie de Jong
Midfielder · Barcelona
A technically exceptional central midfielder who progressed from Ajax to Barcelona and has become one of the most distinctive players of his generation. De Jong's ability to receive the ball under pressure, drive forward and play passes others cannot see gives Netherlands a creative platform that few teams in world football can match.
Cody Gakpo
Forward · Liverpool
A tall, versatile attacker who impressed at the Qatar 2022 World Cup before joining Liverpool, Gakpo has developed into a consistent scorer in the Premier League. His combination of aerial ability, technical control and left-footed shooting from wide or central positions makes him Netherlands' most complete and dangerous attacking threat.
Group F table
Group F
Top 2 advance · best 3rds may qualify| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 7 |
| 2Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 5 |
| 3Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -10 | 0 |