Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Virgil van Dijk said it took him 10 seconds to decide to continue playing for the Netherlands when he held a meeting with new head coach Xavi.
Some had questioned whether the 2026 World Cup might be Van Dijk’s last major international tournament, after the Netherlands impressively won their group before crashing out in the round of 32.
They were beaten on penalties by Morocco following a 1-1 draw, failing to reach the round of 16 when appearing at the World Cup for the very first time (failed to qualify on eight occasions).
Van Dijk has won 96 caps for his country and, after deciding to play on, he could bring up a century during the current international break.
The Netherlands open their Nations League campaign at home to Germany on Thursday, before back-to-back away games versus Serbia and Greece, and a home clash with Serbia on October 4.
And when former World Cup-winning midfielder Xavi visited Van Dijk in Liverpool to discuss his international future, the centre-back was given an easy decision.
“I needed a well-deserved holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach,” he said at a press conference, as quoted by De Telegraaf.
“After 10 seconds, I already knew I could continue. That was just a very good meeting. It’s about trust and appreciation, and he said I could be important to the team.
“Physically, there is no doubt [I can continue], but I also want to keep having fun and feel the appreciation, and that is certainly there.”
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 22, 2026
Van Dijk expects to play in a back four under Xavi, whose predecessor Ronald Koeman was repeatedly criticised by the Dutch media for reverting to a five-man backline during his two spells in charge.
“The way I experience it now, I don’t think we’re going to play with five at the back,” Van Dijk said.
“Spain became world champions with four at the back. Most players are used to playing with four defenders.”
Thursday’s matchup in Amsterdam will pit Van Dijk against one of the most influential figures in his career, with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp taking charge of Germany for the first time.
Van Dijk played 270 games under Klopp after being signed from Southampton by the German in January 2018, comfortably the most he has played under a single manager (Arne Slot is second, with 104).
And though Van Dijk wishes Klopp well in his new role, he is determined to inflict a debut defeat on his old boss, saying: “It’s very nice to meet him again. He has been a very important person in my career, like Ronald Koeman.
“I was able to speak to him during the World Cup, after a training session in Dallas. It will be nice to see him again tomorrow, but hopefully we can make sure that he loses his first game as the coach of Germany.”
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