Team profile: Netherlands
New coach Marco Van Basten stamped his authority all over the squad when he dropped many of the team’s experienced stars. The new look youthful side has plenty to be positive about, and if they succeed in Germany the standing of Van Basten the manager will equal that of Van Basten the striker.
FIFA Ranking: 3
Coach: Marco Van Basten
Key players: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mark van Bommel, Edwin van der Sar
World Cup record: Eighth appearance
Best finish: Runner-up 1974, 1978
Last appearance: Semi finals
Qualifying route: Won European Group One
Key question: Can the Netherlands return to the World Cup and claim what many believe is an overdue first title?
Squad:
| Goalkeepers | # |
| Edwin van der Sar | 1 |
| Henk Timmer | 22 |
| Maarten Stekelenburg | 23 |
| Defenders | |
| Kew Jaliens | 2 |
| Khalid Boulahrouz | 3 |
| Joris Mathijsen | 4 |
| Giovanni van Bronckhorst | 5 |
| Jan Kromkamp | 12 |
| André Ooijer | 13 |
| Johnny Heitinga | 14 |
| Tim de Cler | 15 |
| Midfielders | |
| Denny Landzaat | 6 |
| Phillip Cocu | 8 |
| Rafael van der Vaart | 10 |
| Hedwiges Maduro | 16 |
| Mark van Bommel | 18 |
| Wesley Sneijder | 20 |
| Forwards | |
| Dirk Kuyt | 7 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 9 |
| Arjen Robben | 11 |
| Robin van Persie | 17 |
| Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink | 19 |
| Ryan Babel | 21 |
Group matches:
v Serbia & Montenegro, 13:00 GMT, Sunday 11th June – Leipzig
v Ivory Coast, 16:00 GMT, Friday 16th June – Stuttgart
v Argentina, 19:00 GMT, Wednesday 21st June – Frankfurt