World Cup 2026: Netherlands captain Van Dijk places Morocco among leading favourites for title after exit

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has hailed Morocco as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title following his side’s elimination from the tournament at the hands of the Atlas Lions.

The Dutch were knocked out in the Round of 32 after a tense encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time, before Morocco held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure a 3-2 victory and book their place in the round 16.

It was another painful knockout exit for the Oranje, who entered the competition with high expectations but once again fell short against a resilient Moroccan side that continues to grow in stature on the global stage.

Despite the disappointment, Van Dijk was quick to acknowledge the quality and consistency of Morocco’s performance, admitting that his team had been outperformed in key moments of the match.

“We gave everything we had, but we came up against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Van Dijk said after the defeat.

The Netherlands defender stressed that Morocco’s tactical discipline, organisation and composure under pressure ultimately made the difference in a tightly contested knockout clash.

“In the end, though, our opponents deserved to go through after a solid performance,” he added.

Van Dijk went further in his praise, suggesting that Morocco’s level throughout the tournament places them firmly among the strongest contenders for the title.

“I wish them all the best, and I see them as one of the leading favourites to win this World Cup,” he stated.

For Morocco, the victory marks another major milestone in their historic campaign, as they continue to exceed expectations and push deeper into the knockout stages.

Attention now turns to the round 16, where the Atlas Lions will face Canada in another crucial test as they aim to extend their remarkable World Cup run.