Virgil van Dijk to Retire After 2026 World Cup

Virgil van Dijk is expected to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup. The decision makes the tournament the final stage for the Netherlands defender. Van Dijk first voiced doubts about quitting after Euro 2024. In an interview with Algemeen Dagblad he said the negativity surrounding the group left him fed up.

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He remains under contract with Liverpool until June 2027. He arrived at Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a £75 million fee. Reports link Galatasaray with interest, while new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is set to reshape the squad and leadership group. Van Dijk confirmed a strong relationship with Ronald Koeman, noting frequent discussions about group composition. He added that he will give his opinion but will not dictate selections. The World Cup opener against Japan now carries extra meaning for the Dutch side.