Netherlands at World Cup 2026: can Ronald  Koeman's side finally deliver?

Ahead of Netherland's opening fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Japan, Sports Mole tract coordinator Ben Knapton assesses Holland’s chances of lifting the trophy and the nonaccomplishment of Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber.

Could this beryllium Netherlands’ year? 

It feels similar the perpetual statement with the Netherlands earlier a World Cup. Everyone thinks they could get implicit the enactment this time, but past it ne'er happens. 

They are the outsiders of the favourites for this World Cup, they person likelihood of 20 to 1 to triumph it. 

They went unbeaten successful qualifying, but had 2 rather disappointing draws with Poland. 

They had a disappointing warm-up period, losing to Algeria and lone beating Uzbekistan 2-1 acknowledgment to 2 Cody Gakpo penalties. 

Under Ronald Koeman they inactive person that full footballing identity, those truly speedy snappy passes, but astatine the aforesaid clip they've been accused of being excessively pragmatic. 

After their draws with Poland, Virgil van Dijk came retired and said they should person tried to play quicker - "we were excessively dilatory connected the ball, Koeman wants to attack."

He recognises the cognition of being excessively pragmatic a manager for a state similar the Netherlands. 

But the grounds truthful acold successful the friendlies, and against a federation specified arsenic Poland, makes it hard to spot them getting implicit the line. 

How large a miss is Timber?

Timber is 1 of the champion one-on-one right-backs connected the planet, he's not arsenic beardown going guardant arsenic Denzel Dumfries, but if you're looking for a subordinate who volition conscionable unopen down the absorption and wriggle retired of choky spaces, Timber is the 1 you want. 

Interestingly, the different right-back enactment is Mats Wieffer from Brighton, who has transitioned from midfielder to right-back.

In a subordinate ratings study from the Algeria defeat, helium was lone fixed a 5.5, with the newsman saying they request Dumfries backmost ASAP. 

What Dumfries brings successful onslaught and what Timber brings successful defence, if they request to unopen up store Timber would person been perfect. 

He tin besides play arsenic a centre-back, truthful he's a large miss.