Bram Ewijk will be covering Netherlands throughout the World Cup for Bet9ja, bringing previews, betting insight and tournament analysis.
The Netherlands always arrive with hope and heartbreak. That’s basically the story of Dutch football at World Cups.
Every generation convinces itself this could finally be the one. Then somehow it always ends in frustration. Finals lost, semi-finals lost, golden generations falling short. We’ve played some of the best football the tournament has ever seen and still never lifted the trophy.
But honestly, that’s also why people love the Netherlands.
Even when we’re not favourites, there is always a feeling we can suddenly catch fire and go on a run.
How The Netherlands Reached the World Cup
- Qualification record: 6W-0L-2D
- Goals for / against: 27 / 4
- Top scorer: Memphis Depay (8)
- Top assists: Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo (4)
Qualification was mostly comfortable, although Poland pushed us harder than expected.
The Netherlands handled the weaker sides easily, scoring freely against Finland, Lithuania and Malta, but there were still moments where the team lacked consistency, especially in tighter matches.
That’s been the frustration with this Dutch side for a while now. You can see the quality immediately, especially in midfield, but there are still games where the attack just feels slightly blunt.
Netherlands’ Group Fixtures
- Netherlands vs Japan – 14 June – Texas, USA
- Netherlands vs Sweden – 20 June – Texas, USA
- Tunisia vs Netherlands – 25 June – Kansas, USA
Japan immediately stands out because they are exactly the type of organised, technical side that can make life difficult for possession-heavy teams.
Sweden could also become very physical and uncomfortable depending on how the group develops.
Why This Netherlands Team Feels Dangerous
The midfield is elite.
I genuinely think the Netherlands have one of the best-balanced midfields in the tournament with Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders together.
There’s technical quality, press resistance, creativity and athleticism there. Against most teams, the Dutch will control possession naturally.
And defensively, having players like Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven gives the side real recovery pace and physicality at the back.
The problem is still the attack.
There are good forwards, but compared to countries like France or Spain, there isn’t that same fear factor in the final third.
Players Who Will Define Our Tournament
Everything probably depends on Memphis Depay.
At club level he’s no longer at the absolute elite level, but for the Netherlands he still delivers constantly, and his experience matters massively in tournament football.
I’m also fascinated by what Micky van de Ven could become at this World Cup because physically he is just ridiculous. Watching him recover defensively after charging forward almost doesn’t look real sometimes.
And if Cody Gakpo rediscovers his best form, the Netherlands suddenly become much more dangerous going forward.
The Tactical Questions
The biggest concern is definitely attacking depth.
The loss of Xavi Simons through injury is massive because he was the one player capable of adding unpredictability between the lines consistently.
There are also still doubts about whether Ronald Koeman can outcoach the elite managers later in the tournament when games become tactical chess matches.
And while the Netherlands defend well structurally, they can still struggle badly against quick transitions if the midfield loses shape.
What The Netherlands Expect This Summer
Most Dutch fans are realistic.
I don’t think many people genuinely expect the Netherlands to win the tournament, especially compared to the strongest squads in the competition.
But at the same time, Dutch football culture always carries belief. If the draw opens up slightly and confidence builds, nobody would be shocked to see the Oranje suddenly reach another semi-final.
The absolute minimum expectation is getting out of the group and competing properly in the knockout rounds.
Anything less than that would feel like another wasted opportunity.
Bram’s Predicted Netherlands XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Bart Verbruggen
RB: Denzel Dumfries
CB: Virgil van Dijk
CB: Jurriën Timber
LB: Micky van de Ven
CM: Frenkie de Jong
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
AM: Tijjani Reijnders
RW: Donyell Malen
LW: Cody Gakpo
FW: Memphis Depay
My Expectation for The Netherlands
I think the Netherlands are capable of another deep run.
The midfield and defence are strong enough to compete with almost anyone, and tournament football is often decided by control and structure rather than pure attacking firepower.
But eventually, against the very best teams, I still worry about where the consistent goals come from.
Still, Dutch teams have always been unpredictable at World Cups.
That unpredictability can be dangerous.
Quickfire
- Best group-stage fixture: Netherlands vs Japan
- Biggest concern: Lack of attacking depth
- Player I’m most excited for: Frenkie de Jong
- Potential breakout player: Micky van de Ven
- Team I least want Netherlands to face: Germany
