The Netherlands have finished as World Cup runners-up three times, in 1974, 1978 and 2010, they head to Qatar hoping to finally break their curse in international football's premiere competition. 

After failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia, Louis Van Gaal took the reins and leads them into the competition on a 15 match unbeaten streak since a 2-0 loss to Czech Republic eliminated them from the European Championships in the round of 16. 

Group A contains the Oranje, hosts Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador. 

  • Qualification Path

The Netherlands topped their qualification group to progress automatically with 23 points, starting with a 4-2 loss to Turkey before comfortable wins over Latvia and Gibraltar. 

Their progress was halted by a 1-1 draw with an Erling Haaland inspired Norway, before a 4-0 win over Montenegro and a 6-1 demolition of the Turks. 

A narrow win over Latvia and 6-0 drubbing of Gibraltar put them in a comfortable position before they rounded of the campaign with a 2-2 draw with Montenegro and a 2-0 win against Norway. 

  • Historical Performances

The Oranje's first two tournaments were ended in the first-round by Switzerland (1934) and Czechoslovakia (1938). 

They failed to qualify for the next six editions, before reaching the final two times in a row, losing both to West Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978). 

Denied glory by a Gerd Muller winner in a 2-1 loss in 1974, it was goals from Mario Kempes (to add to his goal in normal time) and a late strike from Daniel Bertoni that broke Dutch hearts four years later, after they had forced extra time. 

They then failed to qualify for the next two tournaments, before elimination in the knockout stages in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2006. They failed to qualify for the 2002 edition in Japan and South Korea. 

Failure to qualify for Russia 2018 came after another runner-up finish in 2010 (a narrow defeat to Spain in South Africa) and a third-placed finish at Brazil 2014. 

  • Player to watch

Cody Gakpo is a man in high-demand, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds and Southampton rumoured to be interested in the PSV Eindhoven forward.

 

The 23-year-old has three goals in nine caps for his country, with two goals and an assist in his last three games for the Oranje against Wales, Poland and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League.

The Eindhoven-born forward boasts an incredible nine goals and 12 assists in just 13 Eredivisie appearances in the 2022/23 season.

One of the most exciting talents in European football, a left-winger on the team sheet, he enjoys venturing into central areas, and his inspiration as he revealed to The Times is Thierry Henry. 

He has an explosive turn of pace, loves to cut inside to shoot and has good combination play. 

He will be determined to make an impression on his first ever World Cup tournament. 

  • Expected Lineup

Van Gaal's preferred formation seems to be a 3-4-1-2.

Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord) is the standout choice in goal over Andries Noppert (Heerenveen) and Remko Pasveer (Ajax).

Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan) is expected to start at right-back, Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) will captain the side with Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) and Nathan Ake (Manchester City) alongside him. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) starts over Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United) at left-back with the 21-year-old enjoying a breakout season in Germany.

In midfield, a Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona) and Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta) pivot is preferred with Cody Gakpo (PSV) in the number 10 role.

Memphis Depay (Barcelona) partners Steven Bergwijn (Ajax) upfront. 

  • Biggest talking point

The biggest talking point is the inclusion of PSV youngster Xavi Simons,, the 19-year-old is a product of the Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain academies, and is yet to feature the national team. 

Veteran goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has not been picked and other notable omissions include Bayern Munich midfield Ryan Gravenberch, Newcastle United defender Sven Botman, Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma and young players such as Brian Brobbey, Guus Til, Micky van de Ven, Devyne Rensch and Mitchel Bakker. 

  • Vavel Predicts

The Netherlands should make it out the group stages comfortably, their first match against Senegal is on November 21, then they face Ecuador on November 25 before finally meeting hosts Qatar on November 29. 

Provided they enter the knockout stages as group winners, they will face the runner-up from Group B in the round of 16, which could be any of England, Iran, USA or Wales.

They should fancy their chances against any of those sides, especially if England top the group. 

The final may be a step too far, but a semi-final appearance could be a realistic bet. 

Although with the quality at their disposal, the Oranje could surprise everyone and finally end their World Cup heartache.