How a grittier Netherlands is reshaping its World Cup identity

The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in its World Cup opener and is set to face Sweden later in the tournament, but the main story is a shift in how Ronald Koeman’s team plays. For decades, Dutch teams were associated with elegant creators such as Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart. This squad looks different: less glamorous, more collective, and built around work rate, pressing and balance.

The article argues that the old Dutch stereotype, a team of brilliant but sometimes naive playmakers, no longer fits. In the 2026 tournament, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo are in the lineup but have had weak seasons, Memphis Depay is now a bench player, and Virgil van Dijk may be the side’s best player. Even more striking, the Netherlands fielded, for the first time in its World Cup history, a starting lineup without a single player from the domestic league.

A key example of the new model is Ryan Gravenberch. After struggling for regular status under Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp, he became important for Arne Slot at Liverpool last season and then added two assists in the opening match against Japan, the first time a Liverpool player has done that at a World Cup. He covered 8.2 kilometers in 81 minutes, about 9.1 kilometers per 90 minutes, and his influence came mostly in central areas rather than in the final third.

The article says the Dutch lacked only a bit more concentration to beat Japan, noting goalkeeper Matt Verbruggen likely prevented a win. It also says this new style, driven by players such as Gravenberch, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons, Crysencio Summerville, Denzel Dumfries and Tijjani Reijnders, could yet carry the team closer to its first major title since 1988. But against Sweden, defeat would badly damage their chances of finishing in the top two.