{"id":16104,"date":"2026-06-25T00:23:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16104"},"modified":"2026-06-25T00:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:12:15","slug":"fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Team of the Week: Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch the Netherlands and every other team at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\">FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/a> live in India on ZEE 5 \u2014 stream every match as it happens.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/#Why_Sweden_Changes_Everything\" title=\"Why Sweden Changes Everything\">Why Sweden Changes Everything<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/#Win_against_Sweden\" title=\"Win against Sweden\">Win against Sweden<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/#The_Japan_Draw_Revisited\" title=\"The Japan Draw, Revisited\">The Japan Draw, Revisited<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/#A_Complete_Team_Not_Just_a_Collection_of_Stars\" title=\"A Complete Team, Not Just a Collection of Stars\">A Complete Team, Not Just a Collection of Stars<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canada scored six goals in their match against Qatar. Portugal put five past Uzbekistan in a single game. But the performance of Week 2 at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 that deserves the most careful examination belongs to neither of them. Netherlands went to the Houston Stadium and dismantled Sweden 5-1. Five goals. Against a team that is considerably better than their tournament standing currently suggests. That is the achievement that earns the Netherlands our Team of the Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Sweden_Changes_Everything\"><\/span><strong>Why Sweden Changes Everything<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To understand what the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/netherlands\/netherlands-squad\">Netherlands<\/a> did, you first have to understand who they did it to. Sweden are not a team to be taken lightly \u2014 a fact that will become obvious to anyone paying attention to the Group H table. They scored five goals themselves against Tunisia in MD1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason is not hard to find. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/sweden\/sweden-squad\">Sweden<\/a> carry two of Europe&#8217;s most lethal forwards. Alexander Isak, Newcastle United&#8217;s Swedish striker, has been one of the Premier League&#8217;s most clinical finishers over the past two seasons \u2014 a tall, technically elegant forward who scores goals that look simple until you realise nobody else was in that position, taking that touch, making that decision. Viktor Gy\u00f6keres is the other. The Sporting CP striker has been relentlessly prolific in Portugal&#8217;s top flight, and he carried that form into this tournament with menace. Sweden&#8217;s attack is genuinely world-class.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Win_against_Sweden\"><\/span><strong>Win against Sweden<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Against that backdrop, what the Netherlands produced becomes even more impressive. Five goals scored. One conceded. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was composed and commanding whenever called upon. The defence \u2014 marshalled with authority throughout \u2014 denied Isak and Gy\u00f6keres the space and service they thrive on. When Sweden found moments of promise, the Dutch defensive structure quickly and intelligently closed them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going forward, the Netherlands were relentless. Their attacking transitions were fast, their movement between the lines was sharp, and their finishing was clinical. This is a team with quality through every line \u2014 pace in behind, creativity in midfield, physicality in the press. The 5-1 scoreline was not flattering. It was accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/ned-vs-swe-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5989361\">Netherlands vs Sweden Match Highlight<\/a> Free, Only on ZEE5.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live on <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><strong><em>ZEE<\/em>5 <em>FIFA Subscription<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong> with the Rs. 799 quarterly plan or the Rs. 1,699 annual subscription.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Japan_Draw_Revisited\"><\/span><strong>The Japan Draw, Revisited<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After their opening 1-1 draw with Japan in MD1, the criticism came quickly. Netherlands were sluggish, they said. They lacked ideas. The draw flattered them. The Sweden result has not just answered those critics \u2014 it has changed the question entirely. Look at what Japan are doing in this tournament. They beat Tunisia 4-0. They beat Tunisia 4-0. They drew with a Netherlands side that then beat Sweden by 4. Japan are a serious, well-organised, tactically intelligent team. Holding the Netherlands to a draw is not a failure for Japan. It is evidence of how good they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/tun-vs-jpn-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5989392\">Japan vs Tunisia Match Highlight<\/a> Free, Only on ZEE5.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Netherlands result against Japan looks better every time another match is played. And the Netherlands themselves look better with every game. That is the most encouraging sign of all: this team appears to be improving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Complete_Team_Not_Just_a_Collection_of_Stars\"><\/span><strong>A Complete Team, Not Just a Collection of Stars<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What separates the Netherlands from some of their rivals is the sense that this is a genuinely coordinated unit rather than a group of talented individuals performing alongside each other. The full-backs contribute to build-up and to attack. The midfield controls tempo and presses with collective discipline. The forwards move with purpose and create for each other as much as they finish individually. Virgil van Dijk provides the defensive anchor and the aerial authority that make set pieces a weapon in both directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be harder tests ahead \u2014 in the Round of 32 and beyond. But on the evidence of Week 2, the Netherlands are exactly the kind of team that is difficult to prepare for, difficult to play against, and very difficult to beat over 90 minutes. Do not be surprised if they go deep in this tournament. Very deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live on ZEE 5 \u2014 every match, every team, all the way to the Final at MetLife Stadium.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watch the Netherlands and every other team at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live in India on ZEE 5 \u2014 stream every match as it happens. Canada scored six goals in their match against Qatar. Portugal put five past Uzbekistan in a single game. But the performance of Week 2 at FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3296,3297],"class_list":["post-16104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-netherlands-football-team","tag-team-of-the-week"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Team of the Week: Netherlands - ZEE5 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Netherlands crush Sweden 5-1 to become FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Team of the Week and emerge as serious title contenders.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-team-of-the-week-netherlands\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Team of the Week: Netherlands - 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