Koopmeiners eyes new set-piece trick ahead of Sweden clash

Teun Koopmeiners has confirmed Oranje are working on a new set-piece variation for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking from Kansas City ahead of Saturday’s group-stage meeting with Sweden, the Juventus midfielder said: “That is certainly being considered.” The free-kick routine that saw Koopmeiners deliver the cross for Wout Weghorst’s 90th-minute equaliser against Argentina at Qatar 2022 remains unmatched. Four years later, he is already looking ahead to the next tournament. Koopmeiners, known for his polite demeanour, took time to ask reporters about their accommodation and recounted a table-tennis scratch with Guus Til that left him with a minor injury. “Everyone is fine!” he added. Despite limited minutes in Oranje shirts, Koopmeiners remains pragmatic. “I have never been a guaranteed starter,” he said. “That is what you aim for, but I am down to earth, know my own level and that of others. I have always had a positive feeling here—being part of the squad for six years says enough.” At 28, Koopmeiners has entered what many consider a player’s prime. His 2024 move from Atalanta Bergamo to Juventus for more than fifty million euros followed a difficult season in Serie A: 33 appearances without a goal or assist. The former AZ captain now plays a more defensive role at Juventus compared with his Atalanta days, when he helped the club win the Europa League and scored twelve goals and provided five assists in his final season as an attacking midfielder.

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Koopmeiners’ U.S. schedule already includes a visit to the Oval Office last year during the Club World Cup, where Donald Trump enquired about women’s football at Juventus. Koopmeiners gave a non-committal response. Ronald Koeman values Koopmeiners for loyalty, reliability, personality and footballing ability. In March’s friendly against Norway, Koeman surprisingly deployed the midfielder as a nominal right-winger; the experiment worked. Positioned slightly more centrally in possession, Koopmeiners can open up space on the right flank for Denzel Dumfries. “The gaffer has been very clear with everyone, including me,” Koopmeiners said. “He sees me as a midfielder but also indicated I’m an option on that right side.” “With my left foot I can cut inside, take restarts and create room for Dumfries. As a duo we are both attacking and defensively solid. It’s a position where I can attack too—very enjoyable.”

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Oranje’s belief in their chances remains high. “In Qatar we banked on penalties. If you win those, you can suddenly be in the semi-finals,” Koopmeiners said. “We have so much quality, experience and top players—you just need a bit of luck.” Set-pieces were decisive in Qatar, when Oranje dragged eventual champions Argentina back from the brink. Koopmeiners’ free-kick cross for the 2-2 equaliser showcased his specialist delivery from dead-ball situations. “Everything is being considered, including tricks,” Koopmeiners said. “But it would be very stupid to reveal anything here and now.” Oranje face Sweden in Houston on Saturday at 19:00 Dutch time, live on .nl, NPO 1 and NPO Radio 1.