The Netherlands enter the World Cup unbeaten across eight qualifiers, with Poland limiting them to draws. The team has commanding defenders, a midfield of genuine class, and enough attacking options to trouble any defense. The Netherlands have previously reached three World Cup finals but lost them all, and earlier golden generations failed to replicate European success on the global stage. Tijjani Reijnders has established himself as a top midfielder after standout seasons at AC Milan and a move to Manchester City in 2025. He adapts well under Pep Guardiola, contributes even when not always starting, and influences games through linking play, breaking up attacks, and controlling possession. When he performs well, the Netherlands tend to perform well too.
"The Dutch were unbeaten across their eight qualifiers, although Poland held them to draws. With commanding defenders, a midfield of genuine class, and enough attacking options to cause problems for any defence, this Netherlands side have a outside chance of lifting the trophy for the first time."
"Man City's Tijjani Reijnders has steadily established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Europe over the last few seasons season and arrives at this tournament in fine fettle. After two outstanding years at AC Milan, where he was named Serie A Best Midfielder of the season, he joined City in 2025 and has adapted well to life under Pep Guardiola, even if he is not always in the starting XI."
"While he has grabbed five goals and two assists across 28 Premier League appearances this season, these relatively modest headline numbers do not tell the full story of his influence especially at the international level. Reijnders is the Netherlands's all-action man he gets forward and links defence and attack, breaks up opponents' attacks, and is a classy, assured presence on the ball."
"The Netherlands have never fulfilled their potential at the World Cup they lost all three finals they reached (1974, 1978, 2010). The 1988 Euro winning cohort did not even come close to replicating their European success on the global stage."
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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