The Netherlands has spent the past two decades oscillating between the nostalgia of total football and the need to adapt to a reality where they no longer produce dominant centre-backs or midfielders of the calibre of Cruyff, Rijkaard or Sneijder with the same frequency. Ronald Koeman’s task is to find the middle ground: a team that respects the Dutch offensive DNA but doesn’t tactically self-destruct in the attempt.
The system: Dutch pragmatism (yes, it exists)
Koeman has opted for a classic 4-3-3 that any Dutch fan recognises, but with pragmatic nuances that set it apart from the suicidal idealism of the past. The base structure:
- A disciplined back four that doesn’t push up as aggressively as in previous eras. Koeman learned from Euro 2024 mistakes and prioritises defensive cover.
- Midfield with a concealed double pivot: Frenkie de Jong as the midfielder who drops between the centre-backs, and a more positional interior (Timber, Schouten or Gravenberch) who balances when De Jong drives forward. The third midfielder has licence to arrive in the box.
- Attacking trio with wingers who seek depth and a centre-forward who is, precisely, the team’s biggest tactical question mark.
The striker problem
The Netherlands has lacked a reference number 9 since the era of Van Persie and Huntelaar. Memphis Depay has been the sticking plaster for years, but his physical inconsistency and loss of pace have made him a limited option at the highest level. The alternatives — Brobbey, Zirkzee, Weghorst as a revulsive — offer different profiles but none has consolidated as an undisputed starter.
Koeman has tried several solutions:
- Memphis as classic 9: Offers movement between the lines and combination with the midfielders, but can’t hold up physically against first-class centre-backs and his defensive participation is minimal.
- Brobbey as physical 9: Pace, power and box presence. But his hold-up play and decision-making aren’t always at the required level. He has improved at Ajax, but the jump to a World Cup is considerable.
- False 9 (Gakpo): Gakpo dropping as a false 9 opens space for runs from the second line, but the Netherlands lose a box reference for crosses.
No solution is perfect. The striker is this team’s tactical Achilles heel.
Metrics that define this Netherlands
| Metric | Observed profile (2024-2026 cycle) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 60-65% | Possession-based team, builds from the back patiently |
| PPDA | ~10-11 | Medium-high pressing, not as aggressive as Germany but consistent |
| Progressions | High through central midfield | De Jong as main driver; heavily dependent on him |
| xG created | Moderate-high | Creates chances but conversion depends on the striker’s form |
| Goals from set pieces | Significant | Koeman has developed set pieces as an alternative goal route |
Note: trends based on European qualifying and Nations League. Exact tournament data per FBref/Opta when available.
Key players
Frenkie de Jong: the indispensable driver
De Jong is the Netherlands’ most important player and possibly the most elegant midfielder in world football. His ability to receive under pressure, turn and progress with the ball between the lines is unique. At Barcelona, his ball progression and passes to the final third figures consistently place him in the 95th percentile among midfielders (per FBref). The problem: De Jong has suffered recurring injuries over the past two years. His physical condition for the tournament is the most determinant variable for Dutch ambitions.
Cody Gakpo: offensive versatility
Gakpo is the most versatile attacker in the Dutch squad. He can play as a left winger, second striker or false 9. At Liverpool, Slot has given him minutes in multiple positions and Gakpo has responded with notable goal participation figures (goals + assists). His ability to deliver in big matches — he was the Netherlands’ top scorer at Qatar 2022 — gives the team a clutch player for key moments.
Virgil van Dijk: the colossus’s last dance
Van Dijk will be 34 during the tournament. His top-end pace has reduced, but his reading of the game, aerial ability and defensive leadership remain world-class. Van Dijk organises the defensive line, directs build-up play and scores from set pieces. His presence matters more as a leader than as an individual player — without Van Dijk, the Netherlands’ defensive structure loses its reference.
Weaknesses and risks
- The De Jong dependency. If De Jong isn’t at 100% — and his injuries in recent seasons raise legitimate doubts — the Netherlands lose their main build-up route. No substitute offers the same level of driving and distribution from midfield.
- The unresolved striker. No centre-forward has been fully convincing. In a tournament where finishing can decide knockout ties, not having a reliable goalscorer is a handicap that France (Mbappé) or Argentina (Álvarez, Lautaro) don’t have.
- Exposed full-backs. The right-back position has been problematic. Dumfries offers offensive depth but his defensive limitations in 1v1 are well documented. Against pacey wingers — Vinícius, Leão, Saka — that flank can be a breaking point.
- Emotional management. The Netherlands has a history of internal conflicts in tournaments (2010 excepted). Koeman is a more capable dressing-room manager than recent predecessors, but the tension between total football expectations and pragmatic reality can generate friction if results don’t go their way.
Conclusion and outlook
The Netherlands is a team with a high ceiling but a worryingly low floor. With De Jong fit, Van Dijk leading and Gakpo in tournament mode, they can compete with any team in the world. Without De Jong, with a striker who doesn’t finish and full-backs who don’t defend, they can fall in the round of 16.
The 2026 World Cup could be Van Dijk’s farewell and possibly De Jong’s last chance to shine at a major tournament without injuries. Koeman needs the pieces to click at the right moment — as happened with the Netherlands in 2014 under Van Gaal, another pragmatist who squeezed the maximum from a squad with limitations.
If Koeman finds his 9 — whether Brobbey makes the leap, Gakpo adapts, or an unexpected solution emerges — the Netherlands can be the surprise among the favourites. If not, it will be another tournament of what could have been.
Full squad and tournament info for the Netherlands and all teams at the 2026 World Cup hub.