Ronald Koeman is “one or two” choices away from finalising his most popular Netherlands lineup for the 2026 World Cup, although his major focus is on qualifying.
The Oranje sit prime of Group G forward of Sunday’s conflict with Finland in Amsterdam, having received 4-0 in Malta on Thursday.
Poland and Finland are only a level behind them in second and third, respectively, although the latter have performed one extra recreation.
Koeman’s plans for subsequent 12 months’s match in america, Canada and Mexico have gotten clearer, however after the Oranje missed back-to-back tournaments at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, his foremost focus is on getting there.
“We’re effectively on our manner. The intention is to attain qualification first,” he informed reporters at Saturday’s pre-match press convention.
“If we are able to additionally get readability concerning the image by seeing another gamers, that’s a bonus. We’re going effectively in that course.
“I feel we’re effectively on our option to having stability. It doesn’t at all times come out in the best way of enjoying, however the framework is essentially there.
“There are one or two selections we’ve to make. I feel we’re effectively on our option to getting that, outdoors of all of the competitors there may be within the group. You shouldn’t neglect that.”
Let’s speak about #NEDFIN!
LIVE Persconferentie Ronald Koeman & Bart Verbruggen
https://t.co/yZxDr63xnZ#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/LY37tHt1N2— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 11, 2025
One determination Koeman should make is at centre-back, with the Netherlands but to nail down a long-term associate for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Jurrien Timber began alongside Van Dijk in opposition to Malta, with Micky van de Ven enjoying at left-back. Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij and Jan Paul van Hecke are additionally of their squad.
Timber registered extra touches (92) and correct passes (79) than another participant in that recreation, additionally creating two possibilities.
And Koeman believes the Arsenal man’s means to drive ahead from the guts of defence could give him an edge within the battle for a beginning spot.
“I do suppose they’re complementary to one another. However with each Van Hecke and De Vrij, I assumed so too,” Koeman stated.
“Much more than the opposite two, Jurrien is a participant who dribbles ahead and might be sure that we are able to have an additional man. I haven’t at all times discovered us to be good at that; we’ve to be sooner.
“I’ve additionally discovered the positions in midfield not at all times effectively aligned. There’s nonetheless fairly a bit through which we should and might do higher, as a result of we’ve the gamers for that.”
