Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is the long-time Netherlands captain, named in Ronald Koeman's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup and listed in the Oranje's defender group alongside Ake, Dumfries, Hato, Timber, Van de Ven, Van Hecke and Wieffer. The Liverpool centre-back is 34 at kick-off and brings 90 senior Netherlands caps into the tournament, with 12 international goals from defensive set-piece situations.

Netherlands face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F, opening against Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 14 June. Koeman's side won UEFA Group G to qualify on 17 November 2025, finishing unbeaten on 20 points with a 4-0 win over Lithuania sealing the spot. Van Dijk's place in the final 26 is confirmed for the tournament.

Van Dijk is a physically strong, right-footed centre-back who usually features on the left-hand side of central defence, though he can also play as a right-sided centre-back. His core profile reads as strength, leadership, recovery speed and aerial ability, with the line-keeping discipline expected of a senior international defender. Pace and good technique sit alongside the physical frame rather than being sacrificed for it.

He is also a set-piece taker for Netherlands, and his aerial threat at the other end of the pitch contributes to his 12 international goals from a centre-back position. Koeman has steered the Oranje towards a more adjustable model, switching between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and occasionally a back three; van Dijk's senior caps and captaincy make him a constant inside that defensive group.

Netherlands are a Tier 2 pick on the Goal Rush card at £24m within the game's £200m card budget, a second-tier call rather than a premium top-band slot. The Group F draw against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia sets the early fixture context, with Koeman's adjustable shape between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 and the team's unbeaten qualifying run giving the Netherlands slot its main Goal Rush angle.

Van Dijk is part of the Netherlands team card at that £24m slot.