Virgil van Dijk joins Dutch National Team ahead of UEFA Nations League campaign under Xavi

Virgil van Dijk has reported for duty with the Netherlands national team, confirming his return to international football after what many assumed would be a quiet exit following a disappointing 2026 World Cup. The Liverpool captain, who has 96 caps for the Dutch side, is expected to earn his 97th when the Netherlands face Germany on September 24.

Van Dijk seriously considered walking away from the national team after the Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Xavi’s pitch changed the calculus

What brought Van Dijk back was a conversation with Xavi Hernández, who took over as head coach of the Dutch national team following Ronald Koeman’s resignation in June 2026. Xavi, appointed on August 12, 2026, is the first foreign manager to oversee the Dutch national team since 1978.

Van Dijk addressed the decision publicly on September 21, acknowledging the weight of the moment.

“It was of course a massive decision. Let’s make the next two years at least an amazing time.”

The 26-man squad was announced on September 18, and Van Dijk’s inclusion was the headline. Joey Veerman earned a recall to the squad, while Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël received their first senior call-ups. Memphis Depay was left out entirely.

A packed Nations League schedule

The Netherlands face four matches across two weeks. The opener against Germany comes on September 24, followed by a trip to Serbia on September 27. October brings a visit to Greece on October 1 before the squad returns home to host Serbia again on October 4. The Germany match will be contested against a side managed by Jürgen Klopp.

Van Dijk’s presence changes the entire defensive structure. At 96 caps, he is four appearances away from reaching 100 international caps, a significant personal landmark.