Netherlands World Cup draw 2022: Group A results with Senegal, matches, fixtures, star players, roster and coach

Sean Markus Clifford

Jeorge Bird

Netherlands World Cup draw 2022: Group A results with Senegal, matches, fixtures, star players, roster and coach image

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.

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%)

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).

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

Sean Markus Clifford

Jeorge Bird