Source: ANP\/Imago Images<\/p><\/div>\n
FIFA ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>8<\/p>\nHow they qualified:\u00a0<\/strong>UEFA qualifying group G winners<\/p>\n2018 World Cup performance:\u00a0<\/strong>Did not qualify<\/p>\nPrevious World Cup appearances:\u00a0<\/strong>10<\/p>\nBest result:\u00a0<\/strong>Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nBackground<\/strong><\/h1>\nSource: Pascal Rossignol\/Reuters<\/p><\/div>\n
The Netherlands are back at a World Cup after missing out on the tournament in 2018 and they will be hoping to make up for lost time after a disappointing absence from Russia following a silver medal in 2010 and bronze in 2014. The Oranje <\/em>qualified for Qatar with relative ease, winning their qualifying group after a shaky start when they lost 4-2 against Turkey in the opening round. Today\u2019s Netherlands squad might not feature world beaters of the past Dutch squads such as Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert or Johan Cruyff, but in Virgil van Dijk they have arguably the best centre-back in the world, paired with a highly experienced coach in Louis van Gaal. The Netherlands were tipped to be the big comeback kings of Euro 2020 but they exited the tournament in the round of 16 after a surprise loss to the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands fans will be hoping there won\u2019t be a repeat of that during their return to the big stage this winter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The Coach \u2013 Louis van Gaal<\/strong><\/h1>\nSource: Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n
Louis van Gaal is back leading the Netherlands in his third spell as boss, after guiding the Dutch in 2000-01 and 2012-14. The now 71-year-old boss will be one of the most decorated coaches at the 2022 World Cup, having collected seven league titles, four domestic cups, one Champions League trophy, and two UEFA Super Cups during a managerial career with Ajax, Barcelona, AZ, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. Van Gaal first took over as coach of the national team in 2000 but following a disastrous qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup, which ended in the Netherlands missing out on the tournament for the first time since 1986, the Dutchman resigned in January 2002.<\/p>\n
A second spell at the helm of the Oranjes <\/em>proved to be much more successful, with the Dutch qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and going all the way to the semi-finals where they fell short against Argentina, but they ultimately managed to beat Brazil on home soil to clinch bronze. Following a less-than-successful spell at Manchester United, it looked like van Gaal will retire from management, announcing this in January 2017, but he quickly reiterated that this was only a \u2018sabbatical\u2019. However, this sabbatical turned into full retirement in 2019, following which the now 71-year-old was convinced by the Dutch FA to return for his third and final spell and lead the Netherlands to glory in Qatar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n