The Netherlands are set to face Uzbekistan in their final friendly before the World Cup, as they look to build momentum for the tournament. The match, which will be played behind closed doors at Icahn Stadium in New York, kicks off at 7:45 PM BST on Monday, June 8.
World Cup Aspirations for the Netherlands
The Dutch have a storied history in the World Cup, having reached the final three times without ever winning the trophy. Their most recent appearance in the final was in 2010, where they lost to Spain. After a third-place finish in 2014, they failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament. Now, under manager Ronald Koeman, they hope to go one step further.
Uzbekistan: A Historic Debut
Uzbekistan, managed by 2006 World Cup-winning Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro, have qualified for their first-ever World Cup. They are the first double-landlocked country to achieve this feat. Their strong qualifying campaign would have secured their place even without the expansion to 48 teams.
How to Watch Netherlands vs Uzbekistan
- TV Broadcast: The match will not be shown live on free-to-air television in the UK.
- Live Stream: Viewers in the US can watch on Fubo, Fox Soccer Plus, and Fox One. UK viewers will need to find alternative streaming options.
Match Details
The game is scheduled for 7:45 PM BST on June 8 at Icahn Stadium in New York, with no spectators allowed.
Manager's Comments
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman stated: "We want to use the first match to make as few changes as possible. We have to wait and see if that works. We are going to play the first match largely with our starting team. It is also good for guys who are not 100% fit who can then play in the second match. That is why we are playing two matches. We have 26 players and everyone gets minutes to play. That's what you want."
