Despite their history in the game, the Netherlands are not regarded as being among the absolute favourites for the tournament, and rather are regarded as one of the stronger dark horses to go deep into the knockout rounds.
Drawn into a tough group containing Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia, the Oranje remain the favourites to come out on top thanks to the quality that runs through their squad, from Virgil van Dijk at the back, through Frenkie de Jong in midfield and into Depay and Cody Gakpo in attack.
They will be without some key injury absentees, however, as Xavi Simons, Jurrien Timber and Matthijs de Ligt have all been ruled out ahead of the tournament, while Jeremie Frimpong and talented midfielder Kees Smit were surprisingly omitted from the final squad. Concerns were raised, meanwhile, following a shock loss to Algeria in the first of their pre-tournament friendlies, and few were allayed in the narrow win over Uzbekistan that followed a few days later.
