The Netherlands World Cup 2022 squad has been performing to a high standard in Qatar, topping Group A before defeating USA 3-1 in their last-16 encounter.
Manager Louis van Gaal has stuck to his tried-and-tested five at the back formation in Qatar, utilising wide forwards and a midfield duo of Frenkie de Jong and one of Martin de Roon or Davy Klaassen. It has proven a good return for the nation after missing out in 2018, and are set for another successful tournament like they achieved in both 2010 and 2014.
Cody Gakpo has been their breakout star at this tournament, scoring three goals on the Netherlands' way to the quarter-finals. He scored in each of the group games, against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, and has continuously been linked with a move away from his current club at PSV.
Virgil van Dijk has been playing at the heart of the Oranje's defence, leading the team with Jurrien Timber and Nathan Ake either side of him. Mathijs de Ligt started their opening game at the right of the back three, but Van Gaal replaced him after the defender complained with how exposed he felt.
A tough test against Argentina awaits for them in the quarters, and keeping Lionel Messi will prove difficult for them. However, they are certainly full of confidence, and Van Gaal has created a brilliant atmosphere within the squad that the players are beginning to feed off of.
There's a very good mix of experience and exciting talent in this balanced side, whose elite coach has untied an historically challenged dressing room. Generations come and go, and there an be difficult interludes: after 2014, it took a long time for the Netherlands to recover from the retirements of Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben. That level of star talent may not be there, but strength in depth throughout the squad undoubtedly is.
Netherland World Cup 2022 squad
Netherlands World Cup 2022 squad: The final 26-man team
- GK: Andries Noppert, Heerenveen
- GK: Remko Pasveer, Ajax
- GK: Justin Bijlow, Feyenoord
- DF: Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
- DF: Nathan Ake, Manchester City
- DF: Daley Blind, Ajax
- DF: Stefan de Vrij, Inter
- DF: Denzel Dumfries, Inter
- DF: Tyrell Malacia, Manchester United
- DF: Jurrien Timber, Ajax
- DF: Jeremie Frimpong, Bayer Leverkusen
- DF: Matthijs de Ligt, Bayern Munich
- MF: Steven Berghuis, Ajax
- MF: Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona
- MF: Davy Klaassen, Ajax
- MF: Marten de Roon, Atalanta
- MF: Teun Koopmeiners, Atalanta
- MF: Kenneth Taylor, Ajax
- MF: Xavi Simons, PSV
- FW: Luuk de Jong, PSV
- FW: Noa Lang, Club Brugge
- FW: Steven Bergwijn, Tottenham
- FW: Memphis Depay, Barcelona
- FW: Wout Weghorst, Besiktas
- FW: Cody Gakpo, PSV
- FW: Vincent Janssen, Royal Antwerp
Netherlands top scorers
3 goals: Cody Gakpo
2 goals: Wout Weghort
1 goal: Davy Klaassen, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, Denzel Dumfries
Netherlands yellow cards
1 yellow: Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake, Teun Koopmeiners, Frenkie de Jong, Wout Weghorst, Jurrien Timber, Memphis Depay, Steven Berghuis, Steven Bergwijn, Denzel Dumfries, Noa Lang
Netherlands manager
Who is the Netherlands' manager for the 2022 World Cup?
Having taken charge of his country twice before, Louis van Gaal will do everything he can to make it third time lucky in what is likely to be his final job in football. He'll try to recreate the momentum his team gained in 2014,mwhere the Dutch surprised everyone to finish third. They are still yet to win the World Cup. He couldn't... could he?
Netherlands star player
Who is the Netherlands' best player?
he has won every big trophy there is at club level, but Virgil van Dijk has never played for his country at a major tournament after missing last summer's delayed European Championship due to knee surgery. After a slow start to the season with Liverpool, the 31-year-old will be determined to show he is still one of the world's best defenders.
How many players are the Netherlands allowed to take to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now 26-player squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man teams.
