Koeman Confident Ahead of World Cup After Fitness Boost

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said his feeling on the eve of the World Cup is better than before Euro 2024, when the team reached the semi‑finals. He will test the squad against Algeria in a friendly at the Kuip on Tuesday. Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners missed the Euro due to injury, leaving the squad depleted at that time. Xavi Simons, Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij are also unavailable for the World Cup. Koeman noted that doubts surrounding Memphis Depay, Justin Kluivert and Jurriën Timber are gradually disappearing. The Netherlands trained in Zeist under higher temperatures and humidity, intensifying sessions two days before the match. Koeman expects to have all 26 World Cup‑selected players at peak fitness, with Depay confirming his own readiness after a 29‑minute cameo for Corinthians.

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Kluivert, a Bournemouth forward, logged only 31 minutes across two short appearances after a knee operation and repeatedly messaged Koeman about his World Cup ambitions. Koeman observed Kluivert in Zeist and reported that the data showed a clear improvement in his condition. Timber, the 24‑year‑old Utrecht defender, returned to action in the Champions League final and played roughly an hour before the Algeria friendly. Koeman explained that Timber would sit out the match to recover from the Arsenal‑PSG final and would rejoin after the Algeria test. The coach expressed strong confidence in the overall group ahead of the tournament. The Netherlands open their World Cup group against Japan in Dallas eleven days after the Algeria friendly. Koeman aims to field a fully fit side for that opening fixture.