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 the second part of Dutch Dilemmas, we take a look at Ronald Koeman's midfield puzzle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has sparked much discussion.
ALSO READ: Dutch Dilemmas #1: Which defenders will make the Netherlands' World Cup squad?
Defensive midfielders
With Jerdy Schouten out with a torn ACL, Ronald Koeman lost a valuable piece in midfield. The PSV captain has been one of the Eredivisie champions' standouts, but has instead opened a door for a hopeful to join the squad.
No matter who it is, though, they'll have to take place behind Frenkie de Jong. The FC Barcelona captain is one of the cornerstones of Oranje and will under no circumstances be replaced.
Behind De Jong, Ryan Gravenberch has often acted as his replacement. The Liverpool star is one of the pieces of Koeman's puzzle, with his natural ability to play as an '8' as well.
Schouten would've been the more defensive-minded midfielder in the squad, much like what Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel once were. Marten de Roon could now be set for a return to Koeman's squad, over two years after the Atalanta captain's last Oranje appearance.
Flashscore's predicted DMs: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Hopefuls: Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Wouter Burger (Hoffenheim)
Central midfielders
The second piece of the puzzle: will Ryan Gravenberch start in front of De Jong, or will Tijjani Reijnders, who hasn't had much playing time at Manchester City since February, still fill that role? It's been Koeman's preferred plan during the qualifying campaign, and the manager added to that idea after Oranje's 4-0 win over Lithuania, in which Reijnders started with De Jong and Xavi Simons: "I'm convinced about what should usually be our midfield."
Along with Reijnders, Quinten Timber from Olympique Marseille has been a mainstay in Koeman's squads. Whenever the former Feyenoord captain wasn't injured, Koeman would give him valuable minutes, making his inclusion an easy one.
One of the few fringe players will be AZ talent Kees Smit, who recently debuted in the squad and immediately started against Norway. Koeman has been an admirer of Smit for longer, and thrusting him into the starting XI days after his maiden call-up shows he believes in the 20-year-old midfielder.
One player Koeman will likely not be a fan of anymore is PSV star Joey Veerman. The Eredivisie champions' midfield maestro has been in exile from the squad since Euro 2024, where he was taken off 35 minutes into a disastrous game against Austria. Shouting "they can figure it out themselves" during PSV's title celebrations won't help his case either.
Flashscore's predicted CMs: Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Quinten Timber (Olympique Marseille), Kees Smit (AZ)
Hopefuls: Kenneth Taylor (Lazio), Joey Veerman (PSV)
Attacking midfielders
Ronald Koeman was up for a challenge after losing Xavi Simons in April following his ACL injury. Xavi looked set to be a starter in Koeman's team after earlier competing with Justin Kluivert, who's also been injured, but returned to Bournemouth's matchday squad against Fulham. If Kluivert returns to match fitness in time, he'll surely be in the Oranje squad.
Teun Koopmeiners, when fit, has been a jack of all trades for Koeman, just like he's been for Juventus. Koopmeiners played as a defensive midfielder in the UEFA Nations League against Spain, has often played as an attacking midfielder, but most recently surprised many by playing as a right winger in the friendly against Norway - an experiment Koeman admitted he loved and worked well with Dumfries behind him. His versatility makes him an easy inclusion.
The final spot will go to either PSV's Guus Til and Feyenoord's Luciano Valente, who debuted in the Netherlands squad for the final World Cup qualifiers in November 2025. For Guus Til, it's been a long wait, with his last games in orange dating back to November 2024, June 2022, and October 2021. However, Til has been excellent for PSV this season, even filling in as a de facto striker, registering 17 goals and assists in 27 Eredivisie games, which might give him the edge.
Flashscore's predicted AMs: Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Guus Til (PSV), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)
Hopefuls: Luciano Valente (Feyenoord), Sven Mijnans (AZ)
