Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has backed his side's defence as among the best in the world, insisting they can win the 2026 World Cup despite being ranked only eighth favourites. The Dutch are listed below Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal and Germany in the betting odds, but Verbruggen believes the squad's quality is being underestimated.
The Netherlands boast an elite defensive quartet of Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber, with Denzel Dumfries set to join Real Madrid and Chelsea's Jorrel Hato and Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke providing depth. Up front, Donyell Malen has scored 14 goals in 18 Serie A games since joining Roma, while Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders anchor the midfield.
“It makes my life a bit easier, that’s for sure,” Verbruggen said. “As a competitor, you always want to play against the best players but you also want to beat them, and in order to beat them you need the best players on your side as well. And I’ve got the big privilege to be able to play with a defensive line that I think is up there with the best in the world.”
Verbruggen, 23, is unfazed by outside opinions. “I don’t really pay attention to what other people say about the team, about us, about me, about my teammates. I don’t really care, to be honest. I know the quality that we have, and I know that the people who will underestimate us will be surprised in the tournament.”
The goalkeeper also praised captain Virgil van Dijk, who will turn 35 during the tournament and may be playing in his final World Cup. “I don’t know if it’s his last chance, but all I know for sure is that he is a massive personality, he’s a massive winner, he’s a leader. His mentality will be to do everything as good as we can in every single moment that goes into all the small details.”
Verbruggen, who grew up idolising Edwin van der Sar, recalled watching the 2010 World Cup final as an eight-year-old. “I was heartbroken because we lost the final, but so proud of the team. I just fell in love with the squad, and I hope that’s something that we can do.”
