Oranje Head into World Cup Opener with Question Marks: Koeman Hopeful on Verbruggen's Recovery

The home match against Algeria in particular caused a major stir. The newspaper "De Telegraaf" declared a "level one alert," especially in the event that the top eleven were not on the pitch. Because of the embarrassing defeat, the national team boarded the plane to America "with bright red faces," the paper wrote. The Rotterdam audience sent the Dutch squad across the Atlantic in an almost outraged manner.

Personnel Concerns and Uneasy Fans

In personnel terms, Koeman has had to absorb a number of setbacks in recent weeks. In the final warm-up match, first-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen injured his hip. Koeman, however, expressed confidence that he would be able to call on his number one for the World Cup opener.

In light of the recent performances, there are also many concerns in the Netherlands – in some cases even fear – of a humiliating exit after the group-stage matches against Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia. Despite all the problems, confidence in the "Oranje" stars' own strength has not been shaken. "The final pass and the final decision were not good," said FC Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo, who at least converted the penalties.

Midfield playmaker Frenkie de Jong, who is under contract with FC Barcelona, takes a sober view of the situation: "We need to be realistic ... We're not the top favorite, but we can become world champions." And further: "I believe that no opponent will enjoy playing against us at the World Cup." He added: "That shows we can hold our own."

Players and Coach Take a Combative Stance

Head coach Koeman is also taking a combative stance, even if he does not exactly come across as the life of the party. "I will do my best," said the coach, who also stressed: "He is our all-time top scorer and we need him" – with reference to the striker's importance. Regarding Verbruggen, Koeman said: "He is approaching his top level day by day."

Former Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst goes even further out on a limb: "There is only one goal for us, and that is to become world champions." Confidence at the three-time World Cup finalist (1974, 1978, and 2010, each time without the title) appears intact. "We have a team that is hard to beat," it is said from within the team. Defensive chief Virgil van Dijk of FC Liverpool adds: "We still have a few steps to take."

In Dallas, the Netherlands will face a powerful "Blue Samurai" side. At Qatar 2022, the Asians beat Germany and Spain, and with victories over Brazil (October) and England (March) they earned further respect. In the Netherlands, the strength of the opening opponent is well recognized – even though the "Blue Samurai" have lost an experienced leader in 33-year-old Liverpool star Wataru Endo, who ended his national team career.

Japan as the First Measuring Stick

Against the backdrop of their own World Cup history, the opening match should give the Netherlands courage: in 2014 in Brazil, they beat eventual world champions Germany 3-0 in the group stage, only to then fall to Argentina in the semifinal. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Dutch national team lost to eventual world champions Argentina only on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Ahead of their first Group F match against Japan on Sunday in Dallas (10 p.m. CEST / Magenta), Koeman has every reason to look a little concerned. In the group stage, the Netherlands also face Sweden and Tunisia. The schedule of the expanded World Cup format comprises twelve groups of four teams each.

De Jong sums up the mood with a nuanced external perception: "I think the opinion about us abroad is a lot more positive than in the Netherlands." Indeed, Koeman still has a strong squad that wants to be in the title race.