Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has praised the Oranje’s squad depth ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Under head coach Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands boasts a remarkably strong squad that includes Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and in-form Serie A goalscorer Donyell Malen.
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Verbruggen, who has established himself as the number one choice for both Brighton and his country at a young age, stated that the current squad can draw inspiration from him this summer.
‘It shows how important squad depth is,’ he told Dailymail. ‘That’s a big strength for us, because even those who don’t start the first game can decide a World Cup.
‘It’s so important that everything clicks and falls into place, and that everybody is ready to make an impact whenever called upon. Tim Krul was the best example of that.
“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.”
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Verbruggen recalls watching the Dutch team reach the 2010 final in Johannesburg as an eight-year-old, alongside witnessing Tim Krul impact a penalty shootout during the 2014 tournament.
“At the time I was 11, I was a goalkeeper and had just started at my first professional club. You see that and all of a sudden Tim Krul is your biggest hero, for that moment.
“It just shows how important the depth of the squad is. That’s a big strength for us, because even the people who maybe don’t start the first game of the World Cup can decide it.”
