Netherlands

THE BOSS LOUIS VAN GAAL NOW in his third spell as Netherlands coach, the 71-year-old former Manchester United boss revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be replaced by Ronald Koeman after Qatar. Took the Dutch to the semi-finals in 2014.

THE BIG STAR VIRGIL VAN DIJK QUESTION marks over his form at Liverpool this season but role as captain never in doubt. Missed Euro 2020 with injury but lines up here for what, incredibly, will be his first major tournament.

THE RISING STAR CODY GAKPO (RIGHT)

THE 23-year-old PSV winger, linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, made his debut at Euro 2020 and is dangerous cutting in from the left. He could be a January target for English clubs.

FORM EXCELLENT

SINCE last 16 defeat to czechs at Euro 2020 the Dutch have gone 15 games unbeaten, including a notable double over neighbours Belgium, and will fancy their chances of topping this group.

KEOWN’S VERDICT

LOUIS VAN GAAL took over the national team midway through qualifying, got them to this World cup by winning their last game, and has now transitioned to using a back three.

Van Dijk is the leader at the back, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong pulls the strings in midfield and Memphis Depay and former Tottenham man Steven Bergwijn act as split strikers. If they top the group as expected, a route against the USA and argentina could follow.