Netherlands 26 World Cup Preview

World Cups & international ball in general do not often make for tactical stories: this area of the game is overwhelmingly about the results. But we're going to get a great tactical storyline in 2026 centered around the Netherlands: a return of a team playing traditionally bold Dutch soccer.

2010 saw a new look Holland; the idealistic play from front-to-back was abandoned & they turned into your average international team that defends in numbers while looking for their stars to be match-winners. The 2014 team leaned into this even more aggressively with a 5-2-1-2. They failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup; when they returned in 2022, they ran back the same bunker-counter wingback idea from 2014. It's been 16 years of "ugly" soccer if you ask the old Dutch traditionalists. That crowd should be happy to see a return to bold possession play now, though.

It isn't quite Total Football, but it's the closest they've been in so long. Koeman has this team playing out of the back, inviting an opponent's press, no matter if they're playing Gibraltar or Spain. On the flip side, they will not park the bus - they press opponents just as dogmatically.

For the first time in his international career, van Dijk arrives at a World Cup able to lead a backline that isn't terroristic but rather mirrors his Liverpool one. His partner, however, is not in stone. van Hecke is the best bet from history, but Jurrien Timber could be in the mix. Van de Ven has won the starting left fullback spot ahead of Nathan Ake, mostly due to his athleticism giving them more leeway to play with more risk. Ake remains a dependable option, though, still adding a ton in possession too. Dumfries has become a fullback in their change of formation but still plays just like the bombing wingback we all know & love; dude thinks he's a forward & it is still a delight to watch him contribute to their goals. Excellent defensively for that kind of player too.

They rotate a lot of guys in their Front 6 ahead of the backline but Reijnders is a mainstay, playing either as the 10 or the most advanced 8 depending on the shape of their midfield which is the only match-to-match tweak you might see. He's a favorite to make a name for himself at this stage here. Cody Gakpo is their point of attack-o at left wing. They play through everybody into the final third but once there, they look to get the ball on his foot to start goalscoring patterns. To others surprise, he is the most trusted member of this team to do something to get them a goal.

This team can be toothless in midfield; Nigel de Jong is not walking through that door this summer. Say what you want about him, & there is a LOT negative to be said there, but he made life difficult for opposing midfielders. Nobody in this national team right now does. Frenkie is their best defensive midfielder, truly, which feels insane to say. That's just because he can read the game & is smart in counterpressing stuff, but he won't be out there winning physical battles. For as much as Gravenberch gives in possession, the guy is just atrocious at defending.

Their high press commitment hasn't resulted in a standout defensive record either. It's usually a source of open play goals they do concede: those centerbacks will follow dropping 9s all the way up the field & good opponents can kill them in that space they vacate. VVD's consistency has fallen.

The Xavi Simons omission hurts a lot, too. He was a weird case where his style of play doesn't match the mantra of what they set out to do, but when games inevitably open up & become end-to-end he would become the star delivering killer blows. That factor is a giant miss.

I don't worry about them struggling in front of goal, which is by far the most common denominator in failure to win soccer games.

If you hear a "premier league" fan say that Gakpo is shit or something, even in a Dutch kit, do the world a favor & shove them in a locker. Club reputation be damned, Gakpo delivers for this team & has years experience of being The Man. He is deadly out on that wing because he can do it all: hook in a great cross to the back post, beat his man to the endline for a cutback assist, or cut into the middle space to score a goal. The art of the surprise near post finish has become trademark for Gakpo & he shows it plenty here, but I'm serious when I say that the entire list that I just rattled off he is equally deadly at. At least in the Netherlands kit, against even the best of opponents.

Reijnders x Gakpo:

Another reason I trust them to score even against the filthiest bus: Koeman is not above what I call the "Wout roll": tossing his massive forward in the box because shit simply happens when defenders have to deal with that kind of player. He's a great supersub & source of late goals for them.

The soccer was "uglier" in 2010-2022, but the fact is it resulted in 3 fantastic Men's World Cup runs for them. That is not a coincidence. Pragmatism reigns in knockout soccer. I'm worried that their return to "better" soccer could see an earlier exit than they're used to. Now these guys are good & will not be getting grouped or anything. In fact, in a larger trend I'm predicting, I think the bolder teams have good chances of winning their groups which includes this lot. But as soon as the knockouts begin, their open-ness makes me nervous.

It feels like the Netherlands are built to try & outscore other teams, that's a tough road to the final. If you are toying with the idea of them being a darkhorse champion, you're relying on them to play as well as 2010-2012 Spain. Or 2024 Spain.

Sadly, I will not be toying with that idea.