Koeman locks in World Cup XI for Netherlands

Koeman: tonight's XI is basically your World Cup team

This is it. Ronald Koeman says the team that faces Uzbekistan on Monday evening is "zo goed als zeker" the same team that starts against Japan in the World Cup opener (11). No more experiments, no more auditions. This is your last look at Oranje before it counts.

The match kicks off at 20:45 Dutch time in an athletics stadium in New York (1). Not exactly a classic venue, but the stakes are real. Koeman will confirm after today's training whether a couple of players with minor issues can start (5).

The likely lineup: few changes expected

Koeman is not tearing things up. Bart Verbruggen starts in goal. Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, and Jurriën Timber are expected across the back. Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield. Up front: Crysencio Summerville on the right, Cody Gakpo left, and Memphis Depay central (5).

Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen are pushing for involvement, and Jan Paul van Hecke could get a look in defence (5). But the core feels settled.

Summerville gets his shot on the right flank

Nine different players have partnered with Denzel Dumfries on the right side. Summerville is number ten (7) (8) (9). The winger is taking advice from the senior group – "Frenkie and Virgil told me to just be myself," he said (6). It is the last piece of Koeman's puzzle heading into the tournament.

Reijnders under pressure from Kluivert

Tijjani Reijnders could be the odd man out. Pundits Valentijn Driessen and Mike Verweij both raised the possibility that Justin Kluivert's form could push Reijnders to the bench (10). "Daar worden ze beter van," they note – competition sharpens everyone.

Japan sneak past their U-19s ahead of Oranje clash

Your first World Cup opponent did not exactly blow the doors off. Japan beat their own U-19 side 2–1 in their final warm-up, with Kento Shiogai among the scorers (12). Not the kind of test that tells you much, but Japan got minutes in legs.

Oranje Leeuwinnen stumble in Ireland

The women's side lost 3–2 to Ireland on Friday in World Cup qualifying, a result that knocks them off top spot in the group (3). Janou Levels refused to point fingers after the defeat: "Zo kijk ik er absoluut niet naar" (3). A costly night.

Four questions Koeman still needs answered

One last match to settle it. The four unresolved spots in Koeman's mind: the right-wing partner for Dumfries, the midfield balance, the centre-back pairing alongside Virgil, and whether Memphis leads the line or drops deeper (7). Tonight provides the answers.

Noppert on his surreal World Cup ride

Andries Noppert has been reflecting on Qatar 2022, where he went from outsider to starting goalkeeper. "Ik was een meteoriet die op aarde viel," he said. "I thought: what am I doing here? I don't belong" (4). A reminder how quickly things can turn in tournament football.

Fan reactions

Across Reddit, World Cup chatter is heating up. One thread is calling Brazil as the traditional power most likely to exit early, while another is betting on a first-time winner lifting the trophy – the vibe is that this tournament feels different, more unpredictable than usual. Join the discussion here