Virgil Van Dijk chooses the Netherlands, Xavi confirms cooperation

Virgil Van Dijk has decided to continue as an international for the Netherlands national team. The 35‑year‑old Liverpool defender makes that choice, reports the Algemeen Dagblad, after a conversation with the new national team coach Xavi. Journalist Maarten Wijffels broke the news Thursday morning in the morning newspaper.

Goal of a hundred caps

With 96 internationals to his name, Van Dijk is aiming for the milestone of one hundred caps. The Red Lions will play four internationals in the coming weeks, allowing him to make his hundredth appearance in early October, writes Wijffels.

PSV player Ruben van Bommel also reports to Zeist, according to Wijffels. He belongs to a group of new faces that Xavi wants to involve in the squad.

Watch out – Ruben van Bommel on his way to Europe's elite

Around noon, the KNVB publishes the full squad for the upcoming internationals via a press release. The list includes, among others, the names of the regular starters and the newcomers.

Frenkie de Jong is still recovering from a knee injury and will miss the first internationals. His absence leaves room for other midfielders to prove themselves.

All internationals will gather on Monday 21 September 2026, in preparation for the renewed, combined international period. The training in Zeist is the first step towards the upcoming international series.