After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands is ready to return to the biggest stage in Qatar. Louis van Gaal is in his third spell as head coach and will be determined to guide his nation to their maiden World Cup success, having led them to third place in 2014.
Van Gaal is able to call upon some high-quality players, such as Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but it remains to be seen whether the Dutch are capable of going all the way.
Here's a look at what to expect from the Netherlands at the tournament and who they could face in the group stages.
Tough game!
— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) March 30, 2022
Big team effort!
Over all a really good week with @onsoranje
Thanks to the supporters they were really rooting for us today! pic.twitter.com/o9pm5wSxZi
MORE: How does World Cup draw work?
Netherlands World Cup draw Group A
The Netherlands has been drawn to face hosts Qatar, alongside Senegal and Ecuador in FIFA 2022 World Cup Group A in an outcome that will see teams from four continents face off for places in the knockout stages.
Senegal is bound to be a dangerous opponent following their African Cup of Nations win earlier this year, whilst Qatar is also current champions of their respective federation having won the AFC Cup back in 2019.
Ecuador makes up the other place in the group, having qualified safely in fourth place from their CONMEBOL group phase.
World Cup Group A table & fixtures
World Cup Group A table & fixtures
Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A1: Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A2: Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A3: Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A4: Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Group A match schedule
Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
Mon, Nov. 21 | Senegal vs. Netherlands | 5 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
Mon, Nov. 21 | Qatar vs. Ecuador | 11 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
Fri, Nov. 25 | Qatar vs. Senegal | 8 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
Fri, Nov. 25 | Netherlands vs. Ecuador | 11 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l Stadium |
Tues, Nov. 29 | Netherlands vs. Qatar | 10 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
Tues, Nov. 29 | Ecuador vs. Senegal | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l Stadium |
Netherlands all-time World Cup groups
Year | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place |
2014 | Netherlands | Chile | Spain | Australia |
2010 | Netherlands | Japan | Denmark | Cameroon |
2006 | Argentina | Netherlands | Ivory Coast | Serbia and Montenegro |
1998 | Netherlands | Mexico | Belgium | South Korea |
1994 | Netherlands | Saudi Arabia | Belgium | Morocco |
1990 | England | Republic of Ireland | Netherlands | Egypt |
1978 | Peru | Netherlands | Scotland | Iran |
1974 | Netherlands | Sweden | Bulgaria | Uruguay |
Netherlands World Cup snapshot
Netherlands were disappointed to exit Euro 2020 at the Round of 16 stage as they lost to Czech Republic, but they have won the majority of their matches since and will be hopeful of faring considerably better in Qatar.
- Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 10 (February 2022)
- World Cup titles: 0
- World Cup appearances (last): 10 (2014)
- How qualified: UEFA - Winners qualification Group G
- Record 2021 W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 11-1-3 (44/11)
- Record 2022 W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 1-0-0 (4/2)
Netherlands FIFA World Cup squad overview
There are some hugely talented players in this Netherlands squad, but there are some concerns about the depth at Van Gaal's disposal.
- Star Players: Virgil Van Dijk, Frenkie De Jong, Memphis Depay
- Captain (vice-captain): Virgil van Dijk (Georginio Wijnaldum)
- Players to Watch: Donyell Malen, Steven Bergwijn
- Players to play in WCQ: 34
- Players in Top 5 Euro leagues (% of WCQ pool): 18 (53%)
𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. ⚽️⚡️ @StevenBergwijn
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 30, 2022
Full highlights » https://t.co/YbU8X2noFD.#NEDGER pic.twitter.com/J7vjdK0BO4
Although they may not be as strong as some of their great sides of the past, the Netherlands have some exceptional operators. It remains to be seen how cohesive they will be as a unit but there is a good core for Van Gaal to work with.
MORE: Top teams to miss 2022 World Cup
Regular starting XI
3-4-1-2 (left to right): Cillessen (GK) — De Ligt, Ake, Van Dijk — Blind, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Dumfries — Berghuis — Bergwijn, Depay.
Strengths:
- Attack — Depay and Bergwijn capable of causing problems for any opponent.
- Strong spine, with Van Dijk and De Jong key.
Weaknesses:
- No settled number one goalkeeper — Incumbent number one goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen missed Euro 2020 due to COVID-19 and questions have remained since.
- Van Gaal's preferred back three can stifle attacking momentum.
Name | Position | Age | Club | Caps/Goals |
Justin Bijlow | Goalkeeper | 24 | Feyenoord | 6/0 |
Mark Flekken | Goalkeeper | 28 | Freiburg | 2/0 |
Jasper Cillessen | Goalkeeper | 32 | Valencia | 61/0 |
Tim Krul | Goalkeeper | 33 | Norwich City | 15/0 |
Nathan Ake | Defender | 27 | Manchester City | 25/3 |
Daley Blind | Defender | 32 | Ajax | 90/2 |
Matthijs de Ligt | Defender | 22 | Juventus | 35/2 |
Stefan de Vrij | Defender | 30 | Inter Milan | 55/3 |
Denzel Dumfries | Defender | 25 | Inter Milan | 32/3 |
Hans Hateboer | Defender | 28 | Atalanta | 11/0 |
Tyrell Malacia | Defender | 22 | Feyenoord | 3/0 |
Devyne Rensch | Defender | 19 | Ajax | 1/0 |
Kenny Tete | Defender | 26 | Fulham | 14/0 |
Jurrien Timber | Defender | 20 | Ajax | 6/0 |
Patrick van Aanholt | Defender | 31 | Galatasaray | 19/0 |
Virgil van Dijk | Defender | 30 | Liverpool | 46/5 |
Owen Wijndal | Defender | 22 | AZ | 11/0 |
Jordy Clasie | Midfielder | 30 | AZ | 17/0 |
Frenkie de Jong | Midfielder | 24 | Barcelona | 40/1 |
Marten de Roon | Midfielder | 30 | Atalanta | 28/0 |
Ryan Gravenberch | Midfielder | 19 | Ajax | 10/1 |
Davy Klaassen | Midfielder | 29 | Ajax | 32/8 |
Teun Koopmeiners | Midfielder | 24 | Atalanta | 5/0 |
Guus Til | Midfielder | 24 | Feyenoord | 4/1 |
Donny van de Beek | Midfielder | 24 | Everton | 19/3 |
Georginio Wijnaldum | Midfielder | 31 | PSG | 86/26 |
Ryan Babel | Winger | 35 | Galatasaray | 69/10 |
Steven Bergwijn | Winger | 24 | Tottenham | 19/5 |
Arnaut Danjuma | Winger | 25 | Villarreal | 6/2 |
Cody Gakpo | Winger | 22 | PSV | 4/1 |
Noa Lang | Winger | 22 | Club Brugge | 3/0 |
Quincy Promes | Winger | 30 | Spartak Moscow | 50/7 |
Calvin Stengs | Winger | 23 | Nice | 7/0 |
Steven Berghuis | Forward | 30 | Ajax | 35/2 |
Luuk de Jong | Forward | 31 | Barcelona | 38/8 |
Memphis Depay | Forward | 28 | Barcelona | 77/39 |
Donyell Malen | Forward | 23 | Borussia Dortmund | 19/4 |
Wout Weghorst | Forward | 29 | Burnley | 12/2 |
Who is Netherlands' head coach?
The vastly experienced Van Gaal hopes the third time is a charm as he tackles a familiar task once again. Previously in charge of major clubs such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Ajax, his Netherlands team went close in 2014.
Although he has won a host of trophies during his career, Van Gaal's possession-orientated style of play has sometimes been described as being somewhat boring to watch. Van Dijk recently stated that he would rather play with a back four than Van Gaal's usual back three.
- Manager (Nationality): Louis Van Gaal (Dutch)
- Date hired: August 4, 2021
- Record as national team manager (third spell) (W-L-D): 6-0-3
- Major titles since hire: None
Notable victories: 5-1 v Spain (2014 World Cup), 8-1 v Hungary (2014 World Cup qualification), 4-2 v Denmark (2022 Friendly).
11 – The Netherlands have qualified for their 11th World Cup, and their first since the 2014 edition, when they finished third under current manager Louis van Gaal. Return. #NEDNOR pic.twitter.com/eJ4fCj1iLT
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 16, 2021
Netherlands World Cup qualifying results
Although they lost to Turkey in their opening fixture, it was a rather serene qualifying process for the Netherlands thereafter. The Dutch won seven of their ten games and scored an impressive 33 goals.
Date | Opponent | H/A | Result | Score |
24/03/21 | Turkey | A | Defeat | 4-2 |
27/03/21 | Latvia | H | Win | 2-0 |
30/03/21 | Gibraltar | A | Win | 7-0 |
01/09/21 | Norway | A | Draw | 1-1 |
04/09/21 | Montenegro | H | Win | 4-0 |
07/09/21 | Turkey | H | Win | 6-1 |
08/10/21 | Latvia | A | Win | 1-0 |
11/10/21 | Gibraltar | H | Win | 6-0 |
13/11/21 | Montenegro | A | Draw | 2-2 |
16/11/21 | Norway | H | Win | 2-0 |
Netherlands World Cup Qualifying Leaders
Category | Leader | Total |
Goals | Memphis Depay | 12 |
Assists | Memphis Depay | 6 |
Appearances | Denzel Dumfries, Davy Klaassen, Frenkie De Jong, Memphis Depay | 10 |
Minutes | Memphis Depay | 899 minutes |