The Oranje showed promise at the last World Cup in 2022, progressing through a group containing the hosts Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador before defeating the USA.

However, an emotional rollercoaster of a quarter-final saw them fight back from 2-0 down, only to lose to eventual champions Argentina on penalties.

Now they have their sights set on going all the way in America and lifting the famous trophy for the first time.

Which Chelsea players do the Netherlands have?

Hato finished the season in fine form, and his performances during his debut campaign with Chelsea have earned him inclusion in the Netherlands’ squad for his first major international tournament.

He has made eight senior appearances for his country since making his Netherlands debut in 2023, and returned to the squad to feature in the March friendlies against both Ecuador and Algeria.

Who else is in the Netherlands’ squad?

Hato is part of a strong Premier League contingent in the Netherlands’ squad, with 15 of the 26 players selected by manager Ronald Koeman – himself a former Southampton and Everton boss – currently calling English football home.

They were bolstered by the return from injury of all-time top scorer Memphis Depay just in time to be included, and will be captained by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)

What teams are in the Netherlands’ group?

The Netherlands will start their campaign against a Japan side that strolled through qualifying to become the first side outside of the host nations to book their place at the World Cup.

They then take on fellow Europeans in play-off winners Sweden before finishing the group stage against another team that impressed in qualifying, as Tunisia didn’t concede a single goal en route to the tournament.

When are the Netherlands’ fixtures?

Netherlands vs Japan, Dallas, Sunday 14 June, 9pm

Netherlands vs Sweden, Houston, Saturday 20 June, 6pm

Tunisia vs Netherlands, Kansas City, Friday 26 June, 12am

All times are UK

How did the Netherlands qualify?

The Netherlands gave their supporters hope that this could be their year by sauntering through European qualifying with a real attacking swagger, remaining undefeated throughout.

They finished top of Group G with six wins from eight games, scoring an impressive 27 goals in the process, underlining their status as genuine contenders at the 2026 World Cup.

What is the Netherlands’ World Cup history?

For a relatively small country, the Netherlands has consistently punched above its weight on the international scene, reaching the knockout stages for every World Cup they have competed at since 1974.

That includes three appearances in the final itself, at back-to-back tournaments in 1974 and 1978, then again in 2010, but they lost on each occasion.

The last of those was particularly painful, as Andres Iniesta’s goal gave Spain a 1-0 victory in added time, and the Oranje will be hoping to banish those memories by finally lifting the trophy in 2026.