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KANSAS CITY, Missouri — It was all smiles for the Netherlands national team Wednesday, June 10.
The Oranje opened base camp training in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The Netherlands will take on Japan in the opening game of Group F on Sunday, June 14.
"How far can we go? All the way,” Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said. "We know how difficult it will be. Our full focus will be on Japan first and foremost.”
It was a light training session for the Netherlands in Kansas City. The team arrived in the "Soccer Capital of America" Tuesday following Monday’s 2-1 friendly victory over Uzbekistan.
Netherlands football: Oranje hit with World Cup injury crisis ahead of showdown vs. Japan
During training, the squad did small drills and games in front of a hundred supporters. The session lasted for around an hour. It was more recovery style, rather than intensive training.
While star centerback van Dijk did not shy away from high expectations, he also focused on what an honor it is to represent his nation on the world’s biggest stage.
"To come together and try to make your country proud is the biggest honor that you can do,” van Dijk said. "We are all very lucky and blessed. It’s a privilege so everyone comes with a smile, everyone comes trying to achieve something special. It’s a big honor to be here.”
Heat and humidity continue to be a talking point during the build up to the World Cup. The Dutch trained late morning with weather temperatures close to 90 degrees and humidity over 70%.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman downplayed the heat. For him, it’s an excuse and not something needed to discuss.
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"We know it’s hot. We will do everything to prepare the players in the best way,” Koeman said. "We have to adapt and nothing else, talking more about temperatures. We need to talk about football.”
Van Dijk echoed his manager citing past experiences. He played with his club team, Liverpool, in an American summer tour in 2019, along with a tour in Asia last year.
“In Asia, the weather was very similar temperatures, especially in the summer, very humid,” he said. "The conditions, for every team, are going to be the same. You have to adapt quickly, you have to adapt in games, as well.
"I hope all of the pitches are going to be as good as today, for example, in training.”
Along with the Netherlands, Algeria, Argentina and England are all making Kansas City their home base for the tournament.
The Dutch will be utilizing NWSL side Kansas City Current’s training facility in Riverside, northwest of downtown Kansas City.
The Current’s ground was built in 2022 and was the first facility purpose-built for a women’s professional team in United States history. Van Dijk gave a nod of appreciate to the practice center.
"The facilities are incredible for us to train, the pitch is so good,” Van Dijk said. "We have everything that we need to prepare for games. Now, it is down to us to make sure that we start winning games.”
The Netherlands open the World Cup against Japan at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 14 in Arlington, Texas.
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA Today. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netherlands captain Van Dijk loves NWSL pitch for World Cup training
Continue reading...
The Oranje opened base camp training in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The Netherlands will take on Japan in the opening game of Group F on Sunday, June 14.
"How far can we go? All the way,” Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said. "We know how difficult it will be. Our full focus will be on Japan first and foremost.”
Netherlands World Cup journey begins with open training session
It was a light training session for the Netherlands in Kansas City. The team arrived in the "Soccer Capital of America" Tuesday following Monday’s 2-1 friendly victory over Uzbekistan.
Netherlands football: Oranje hit with World Cup injury crisis ahead of showdown vs. Japan
You must be registered for see images
During training, the squad did small drills and games in front of a hundred supporters. The session lasted for around an hour. It was more recovery style, rather than intensive training.
While star centerback van Dijk did not shy away from high expectations, he also focused on what an honor it is to represent his nation on the world’s biggest stage.
"To come together and try to make your country proud is the biggest honor that you can do,” van Dijk said. "We are all very lucky and blessed. It’s a privilege so everyone comes with a smile, everyone comes trying to achieve something special. It’s a big honor to be here.”
Hot conditions not an excuse for Netherlands
Heat and humidity continue to be a talking point during the build up to the World Cup. The Dutch trained late morning with weather temperatures close to 90 degrees and humidity over 70%.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman downplayed the heat. For him, it’s an excuse and not something needed to discuss.
Newsletter: Sign up to get all the World Cup highlights in your inbox
You must be registered for see images attach
"We know it’s hot. We will do everything to prepare the players in the best way,” Koeman said. "We have to adapt and nothing else, talking more about temperatures. We need to talk about football.”
Van Dijk echoed his manager citing past experiences. He played with his club team, Liverpool, in an American summer tour in 2019, along with a tour in Asia last year.
“In Asia, the weather was very similar temperatures, especially in the summer, very humid,” he said. "The conditions, for every team, are going to be the same. You have to adapt quickly, you have to adapt in games, as well.
"I hope all of the pitches are going to be as good as today, for example, in training.”
Virgil van Dijk praises NWSL’s Kansas City Current
Along with the Netherlands, Algeria, Argentina and England are all making Kansas City their home base for the tournament.
The Dutch will be utilizing NWSL side Kansas City Current’s training facility in Riverside, northwest of downtown Kansas City.
You must be registered for see images
The Current’s ground was built in 2022 and was the first facility purpose-built for a women’s professional team in United States history. Van Dijk gave a nod of appreciate to the practice center.
"The facilities are incredible for us to train, the pitch is so good,” Van Dijk said. "We have everything that we need to prepare for games. Now, it is down to us to make sure that we start winning games.”
The Netherlands open the World Cup against Japan at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 14 in Arlington, Texas.
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA Today. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netherlands captain Van Dijk loves NWSL pitch for World Cup training
Continue reading...
