In three parts, we will go through each position and list both our predicted squad players and the hopefuls who could potentially feature for the Netherlands.
In this first part of Dutch Dilemmas, we take a look at the goalkeepers and defenders manager Ronald Koeman might take with him to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Goalkeepers
Not in years has the goalkeeper position been this deep for Oranje.
Brighton's Bart Verbruggen is Ronald Koeman's top choice between the posts. Ever since he joined the squad in September 2023, Verbruggen has played 27 of the 32 games he was called up for. He's been excellent for Brighton in the Premier League as well, recording 99 saves (4th highest among goalkeepers with 10+ appearances) and 69.3% save percentage (5th highest).
Behind Verbruggen, Robin Roefs looks like the favourite to back the Brighton man up. Roefs has been excellent for Sunderland since joining from NEC Nijmegen, though his recent form has dropped a bit - Roefs has kept just three clean sheets in 2026.
Mark Flekken from Bayer Leverkusen looks to be the third man up between the sticks. The 11-time international replaced Verbruggen in all games the latter's missed since his maiden call-up.
Flashscore's predicted GKs: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen)
Hopefuls: Kjell Scherpen (Union Saint-Gilloise), Justin Bijlow (Genoa), Joël Drommel (Sparta Rotterdam)
Right-backs
Another luxury position for Koeman.
Denzel Dumfries is a lock for this spot. Behind Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay, no player has played more Netherlands games under Koeman. Dumfries is often one of the first names on the team sheet, and for good reason: the Inter star carries both defensive and offensive value, with the latter showing in his 5 goals and 5 assists in his last 13 Netherlands games.
Jurriën Timber is another no-brainer. The Arsenal man has impressed mightily for the Gunners this season and has been a defensive weapon for Koeman by playing on the right and in the heart of the defence, but has had one issue: staying fit. An ankle injury is currently keeping him off the pitch longer than expected, and he's missed 22 of the last 32 Oranje games through injury or illness.
Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida looks to be the third in line for Koeman. Geertruida hasn't consistently been called up by Koeman, but recently regained his trust and looks to be the ideal third option with the ability to play both as a right-back and centre-half.
Flashscore's predicted RBs: Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland)
Hopefuls: Mats Wieffer (Brighton), Givairo Read (Feyenoord)
Left-backs
Though it's been a tough season, Spurs' Micky van de Ven has been Oranje's left-back for over a year now. It helps that there haven't been many great Dutch left-backs around, even though Jorrel Hato has looked good recently and could recoup some minutes after having recently rejoined the squad after a year-long absence.
Ol' and reliable Nathan Aké has been a permanent feature in Koeman's squads as well, despite a dip in playing time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The 31-year-old Aké, who seems to be on his way out at the Cityzens, was arguably the Netherlands' best player at the 2022 World Cup, has been steady as a rock in orange, and is considered a valuable squad player, making him a popular pick.
Flashscore's predicted LBs: Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Nathan Aké (Manchester City)
Hopefuls: Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa), Quilindschy Hartman (Burnley)
Centre-backs
Of all the possible locks, Virgil van Dijk is the biggest one. 'Big Virg' is Koeman's most-trusted player, his most-used player, and the captain and sole leader of this Netherlands squad.
Next to Van Dijk, Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke is a name to watch. Van Hecke has often flanked Van Dijk in recent times, mostly competing with Timber for the right centre-back spot.
Behind those two and the multi-functional Geertruida, Timber, Van de Ven, and Aké, Inter's Stefan de Vrij could be a somewhat surprising yet unsurprising name in the Dutch squad. De Vrij barely plays at Inter, but like Aké, has been a mainstay in Koeman's squads as a confidant and experienced leader.
After returning to the squad in 2025, Matthijs de Ligt could miss out on playing at the World Cup, having struggled with a serious back injury since December. Koeman has made it abundantly clear that he'll only call up players who are "100% fit", putting De Ligt's status at serious risk.
Flashscore's predicted CBs: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Stefan de Vrij (Inter)
Hopefuls: Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Sven Botman (Newcastle United), Sepp van den Berg (Brentford)
