Nation: Netherlands
FIFA ranking: 8th
World Cup achievements: Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)

Sky Sports' Joe Shread:

There's probably no nation in world football that has such a boom-or-bust relationship with the World Cup as the Netherlands.

Ostensibly, they are one of the most successful sides to have taken part in the tournament, with only four countries being able to match their three appearances in the final.

However, they were unsuccessful on each occasion - in 1974, 1978 and 2010. No other side without World Cup glory to their name has lost that many.

But it's not just in finals where the Netherlands have come up short. Quite often, they do not even reach the tournament at all. In fact, the Netherlands have only competed in 10 of the 21 World Cups that have ever been played.

Bizarrely, the Netherlands' appearance in the 1974 World Cup - when they were beaten at the final hurdle by West Germany - was their first since 1938. Then, after following that up with another trip to the final in 1978, they failed to qualify for the next two tournaments.

This all-or-nothing approach has continued into the modern day. After coming fourth in 1998, the Netherlands missed out entirely in 2002, while they were also unable to qualify in 2018 despite coming third in 2014.

However, the return of Louis van Gaal has helped to bring some much-needed stability to the side. The former Manchester United manager was appointed for a third time in August 2021, with the Netherlands hoping he could recreate the success of his previous spell, when he led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2014.

Things have gone about as well as anyone could have hoped, meaning the Netherlands will head to Qatar full of confidence. Van Gaal is yet to taste defeat in his 15 matches in charge and led his country to top spot in both their World Cup qualifying group and Nations League group. The latter was particularly impressive, coming as it did after home and away wins over Belgium, who FIFA rank as the best side in Europe.

The Netherlands are fortunate to have been handed the seemingly straightforward task of progressing from a group containing Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador, meaning they should be shoo-ins for the last 16.

Add in a handful of world-class players, a long unbeaten run and an experienced manager who oozes self-confidence, and it would not be a shock to see the Netherlands targeting another final.

Group A

Fixtures & results

Most recent squad

Insight

whether you consider the Netherlands to be genuine contenders to finally win the World Cup probably depends on what part of their squad you look at.

With Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, Nathan Ake and Ajax's Jurrien Timber in the squad, it could be argued Louis van Gaal has the tournament's deepest pool of defenders to choose from.

There is also genuine quality further up the pitch, with Frenkie de Jong the pick of the midfielders and Memphis Depay the star of the attack. Denzel Dumfries and Tyrell Malacia also offer threats from wing-back.

However, other areas of the Netherlands' squad leave you wondering how Van Gaal has managed to coax so many wins from this side. For example, Tottenham flop Vincent Janssen, now playing in Belgium after a three-year spell in Mexico, and Wout Weghorst, who scored two goals in 20 games as Burnley got relegated from the Premier League last season, featured in September's matches.

Van Gaal's goalkeeping options are even more desperate, with Ajax's Remko Pasveer handed the gloves for the Netherlands' previous two games. They were his first caps for his country and came at the age of 38.

As he did during his previous spell in charge of the national side, Van Gaal prefers lining up with three defenders, which helps him make the most of the plethora of quality centre-backs at his disposal.

The versatile Daley Blind often lines up as a left wing-back but it is Dumfries on the opposite flank that provides more of an attacking threat.

Former Manchester United player Blind is not the only ex-Premier League resident likely to feature for the Netherlands. Davy Klaasen (Everton), Steven Berghuis (Watford) and Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham) all endured disappointing spells in England but make up part of Van Gaal's eclectic squad.

Player to watch

Name: Denzel Dumfries
Position: Right wing-back
Club: Inter Milan
Age: 26

Anyone who followed the Netherlands during Euro 2020 will probably be familiar with Denzel Dumfries and he is likely to be one to watch once again for the Oranje at the World Cup.

Dumfries was a regular for then-manager Frank de Boer last summer, when he featured in all four of the Netherlands' matches and caught the eye by opening the tournament with goals in the opening two games.

While his country's Euro 2020 campaign was ultimately underwhelming - ending as it did with defeat to the Czech Republic in the last 16 - Dumfries has remained a key player under Louis van Gaal.

The Inter Milan defender has featured in all but one of the 71-year-old's matches so far, showing his versatility by lining up at both right-back and wing-back.

Dumfries' five goals and six assists from his 37 caps show the attacking threat he poses down the right. It is form he has also shown at club level, ranking in the top 10 for goals and assists among defenders in Serie A since he joined Inter following Euro 2020.

Dumfries, who stands at over six-feet tall, is also a threat from set pieces and crosses to the back post, which is where both of his Euro 2020 goals came from.

With Van Gaal favouring a three-man defence in the lead up to the World Cup, Dumfries' marauding displays from right wing-back are likely to be a key feature of the Netherlands' tournament.

Where will the Netherlands stay?

The St. Regis Doha

Qatar stadiums

Qualification in pictures