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NETHERLANDS

• Best World Cup performance: Runners-up in 1974, 1978, 2010
• Other honours: European champions in 1988
• FIFA ranking: 8
• Main clubs: Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
• How they qualified: Netherlands finished first in European qualifying Group G
• Coach: Louis van Gaal, 71, was appointed in August 2021 after coming out of retirement to take the national team reins for the third time. Made his name as coach of a brilliant young Ajax side in the 1990s before moving on to Barcelona, winning back-to-back La Liga titles. Van Gaal failed to qualify the Dutch for the 2002 World Cup but took them to the semi-finals in 2014 in his second stint, losing on penalties to Argentina. Also coached Bayern Munich, Manchester United and AZ Alkmaar. Revealed in April he had undergone successful treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
• Key player: Frenkie de Jong burst onto the scene in the 2018-19 season as part of another talented young Ajax team that was seconds from reaching that year's Champions League final. His eye-catching performances earned him a move to Barcelona as the Spanish giants fought off a host of Europe's top clubs for his signature. De Jong's creativity and versatility have turned him into an indispensable part of a resurgent Dutch side, where his presence in Qatar will be all the more important following an injury to midfield partner Georginio Wijnaldum.

Group Fixtures & Matches

1. November 21: Netherlands v Senegal

2. November 25: Ecuador v Netherlands

3. November 29: Qatar v Netherlands

🇳🇱 Netherlands | (21/33)

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)

Netherlands' World Cup 2022 squad

Goalkeepers: Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Justin Biljow, Andries Noppert

Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan/ITA), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/ENG), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich/GER), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan/ITA), Nathan Ake (Manchester City/ENG), Jurrien Timber (Ajax), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United/ENG), Jeremie Frimpong, Tyrell Malacia

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona/ESP), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta/ITA),Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta/ITA), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (Barcelona/ESP), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp/BEL), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas/TUR), Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven), Luuk De Jong (PSV Eindhoven ), Noa Lang (Club Brugge)