The Netherlands have reached three World Cup finals and lost all three. No country has shown more talent without ever winning the thing. They return in 2026 with a squad that blends experienced men like Virgil van Dijk with exciting young players like Xavi Simons. Ronald Koeman has the Dutch playing their trademark Total Football again, and Cody Gakpo is causing defences problems at Liverpool.
Koeman's side sits around 7th in the FIFA ranking.
Could Xavi Simons end the Dutch curse?
He is the kind of talent who might. Simons is one of the most exciting young players in world football, and his dribbling, vision and shooting are extraordinary.
He is not alone:
- Van Dijk, whom many call the best centre-back in Premier League history, brings leadership and defensive authority from Liverpool.
- Gakpo is versatile and scores from several positions in attack.
- Koeman played at World Cups himself and has managed at international level, so he understands tournament football.
Behind all of it sits Total Football, a philosophy that has produced some of the finest tactical teams the World Cup has seen.
The Dutch always seem to have enough talent to win, and they always find a way to fall short at the end. Three finals and three defeats is a painful record. If Van Dijk's defence holds and the young players deliver, 2026 might finally break the pattern.
Tomorrow: number 6.
