Dutch talent steering several countries towards World Cup

The Netherlands have enjoyed plenty of World Cup success as three-time runners-up, and at next year’s finals in North America, Dutch influence could stretch well beyond their own team.

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Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat (left) fights for the ball with Brazil's Lucas Paqueta during a friendly match at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on March 26, 2023.

(AFP FILE)

They are fancied to qualify comfortably for next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., but Dutch-born talent is also helping other countries bidding to reach the finals for the first time.

A change in single nationality laws has enabled Indonesia and Suriname to significantly bolster their talent pool, while the island nations of Cape Verde and Curacao have a considerable, and influential, tally of Dutch-born players in their squad.

Morocco, who have qualified for the World, also tap into the migrant community in the Netherlands, with players like Sofyan Amrabat and Noussair Mazraoui regulars in the team who were the first to book a 2026 berth from the African zone.