The Dutch head into their third consecutive World Cup and start their campaign with arguably one of the toughest opening games, the Oranje face a repeat of the 2010 final as they meet current European and World champions Spain in Group B.
Alongside them are Chile and Australia who will prove to be stern tests and if they do make it out of the group then the possibility of meeting the hosts Brazil in the round of 16 makes a repeat of their last World Cup exploits a tough prospect.
Current head coach Louis van Gaal is in his second spell in charge after a disastrous two year spell in 2000-02 when under his guidance they failed to qualify for the 2002 World cup in South Korea and Japan. After being reappointed in 2012 to replace Bert van Marwijk, Van Gaal led The Netherlands through its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification group as the team won nine and drew one of their ten matches with a goal difference of 34-5 to secure their place at the finals in Brazil. This will be the last competition under his guidance as the 62 year old will leave to take over at Manchester United after the tournament’s conclusion.
A key player for The Netherlands will be Galatasaray midfielder and former Inter man Wesley Sneijder, at 29-years-old old and with 98 caps to his name the experienced playmaker will be vital to the Oranje. 
Stripped of the captaincy by Van Gaal and publicly criticized for his lack of fitness Sneijder has bounced back to answer his critics and his end of season form for the Turkish club proved he is on his way back. In Brazil, Sneijder will play as a roaming number ten just behind Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben as they did in the recent friendly against Ghana and he’ll look to use his superb passing prowess to try and unlock the opposition’s defence. The conditions in Brazil will certainly test his fitness but on his day can be a matchwinner and fans of the Dutch will hope that the Sneijder of 2010 returns.
One to watch will be Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie, for his club the 22 year old plays just in front of the back four and shows great ability to win the ball but he also has the skill to dictate the play with his tremendous passing ability. 
Clasie showed this ability in the recent 1-1 draw with Ecuador as he spread a 40-yard-pass over the top of the defence for Robin van Persie to volley into the net. This passing ability has earned him the nickname of the ‘Dutch Xavi’. He may not yet be a regular starter just yet for The Netherlands but this talented midfielder will become an integral part of the Dutch side for years to come, but he certainly could be used as an impact substitute in Brazil.
Louis Van Gaal has shown some flexibility in his formation leading up to the tournament and has used a 5-3-2 system in the friendlies against Ecuador and Ghana as he tries to solidify the defence which is generally perceived as the weakest part of the team and he has also discussed using a 4-4-2 system as well. Gone is his steadfast 4-3-3 approach and this tactical flexibility could be the key to progression in the competition.
Two big absences for the Dutch will be Roma’s Kevin Strootman and Hamburg’s Rafael van der Vaar with both out through injury and realistic hopes for the competition must be get out of the group behind Spain. In all likelihood this will see the Oranje come up against Brazil in the first knockout round who will be keen to avenge the result of the 2010 meeting between the two when the Dutch triumphed by two goals to one.
