The Oranje fell at the round of 16 stage three years ago, but have the tools to go further this time around
The Netherlands won't be among the favourites to win Euro 2024, but they should be considered dark horses under Ronald Koeman, who guided them to second in their qualifying group behind France. Koeman inherited a talented squad from Louis van Gaal after their impressive run to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, and will be confident of making an even bigger splash in Germany this summer.
The Oranje have certainly come a long way since their shock last-16 defeat to the Czech Republic at the last European Championship, with a perfect mix of youth and experience holding them in good stead as they bid to win the tournament for the time since 1988.
Another showdown with France awaits in Group D, with the Netherlands also facing a tough examination against Austria, but Koeman's team should fear no one given the quality they possess across the pitch.
And Koeman has shown his hand for the tournament, piecing together a strong 26-man squad…
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Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is currently holding the Netherlands' No.1 jersey, but his position is by no means safe. Verbruggen only got his chance with Koeman last year when Mark Flekken got injured, and the Brentford shot-stopper might still be in with a shout of snagging his spot.
Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow rounds out the three-man setup despite struggling with injuries through the 2023-24 campaign.
Justin BijlowFeyenoordMark FlekkenBrentfordBart VerbruggenBrightonAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS
Led by Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands are blessed with plenty of quality at the back, and Nathan Ake will likely slot in alongside the Liverpool superstar after another impressive season at Manchester City.
Inter's Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind, who is enjoying a late career swansong at La Liga upstarts Girona, also played a key role in the Oranje's Euros qualifying campaign and will have important parts to play in Germany.
Competition for starting roles will be fierce, though, with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong and Tottenham summer signing Micky van de Ven also staking strong claims with their form at club level, while Ian Maatsen could also force his way into the team despite only being a late call-up as an injury replacement.
Nathan AkeManchester CityDaley BlindGironaMatthijs de Ligt Bayern MunichStefan de VrijInterDenzel DumfriesInterJeremie FrimpongBayer LeverkusenLutsharel GeertruidaFeyenoordIan MaatsenBorussia DortmundMicky van de Ven TottenhamVirgil van DijkLiverpoolGettyMIDFIELDERS
Frenkie de Jong was unable to recover in time from the ankle injury that ruined the end of his Barcelona season, meaning a lot of pressure will be on Jerdy Schouten to step into the midfielder's shoes, having been one of PSV's standout performers during their run to the Eredivisie title and Champions League knockout stages.
Georginio Wijnaldum, meanwhile, has made the cut, despite the fact he now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, and the former Liverpool midfielder's experience could be very useful if the Oranje make it to the latter stages of the tournament. Ryan Gravenberch rounds out an interesting midfielder corps for the Dutch.
Ryan GravenberchLiverpoolTijjani ReijndersAC MilanJerdy SchoutenPSVGeorginio WijnaldumAl-EttifaqGettyFORWARDS
Koeman is known for his pragmatic style of play, and tends to favour one up front, with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst set to fill that position despite a somewhat underwhelming season at Hoffenheim.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo will likely sit just behind Weghorst alongside Paris Saint-Germain starlet Xavi Simons, who has enjoyed a superb individual campaign on loan at RB Leipzig.
Memphis Depay is also still in the frame despite a mixed year with Atletico Madrid, and Steven Bergwijn also makes the squad despite struggling for Ajax this year.
Steven BergwijnAjaxBrian BrobbeyAjaxMemphis DepayAtletico MadridCody GakpoLiverpoolDonyell MalenBorussia DortmundXavi SimonsRB LeipzigWout WeghorstHoffenheimJoshua ZirkzeeBologna