Amsterdam, June 1: Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk believes the Dutch national team is better prepared than ever to mount a serious challenge for the FIFA World Cup 2026, citing the experience and maturity gained from recent major tournaments.
Speaking to FIFA, the Liverpool defender said the lessons learned from the Netherlands’ run to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and their performances at UEFA Euro 2024 have strengthened the squad ahead of next year’s global showpiece.
Van Dijk recalled the emotional experience of playing in his first World Cup in Qatar, where the Netherlands were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina in a dramatic quarter-final.
“The World Cup was very special for me because it was my first finals tournament. It showed me how popular the competition is across the world. I’ve played in Champions League finals, but representing your country at a World Cup is a unique feeling and something that made me very proud,” he said.
The 33-year-old believes the experience gained from previous tournaments could prove crucial as the Dutch seek to win their first World Cup title.
“You take the experience from the last finals with you, both individually and as a team. Hopefully, we can use that experience to be successful. Tournament football is not only about having the best players. There are many factors that determine whether a team succeeds or not,” Van Dijk said.
The centre-back stressed the importance of embracing the occasion while remaining focused on the task ahead.“Representing your country at a World Cup is the pinnacle for any player. You need to enjoy it as well, and I’m really looking forward to the tournament,” he added.As captain of both the national team and his club, Van Dijk said leadership has become a natural part of his role on and off the pitch. (AP)
