Van Dijk expects difficulties against Morocco.

Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch national football team's center-back, stated that he expects a "difficult match against a Moroccan team with high qualifications."

Van Dijk explained at the press conference preceding the match between Morocco and the Netherlands in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup that the Moroccan team "has one of the best right-backs in world football at the moment."

He added that the Moroccan team also has striker Ismail Sabari, who is currently in a clear period of brilliance and has had a great season, as well as an experienced goalkeeper and a good coach, along with Ibrahim Diaz and others.

The player noted that the "Moroccan squad" is full of talented players, such as Ayoub Bouaddi, the defensive midfielder, who "is now standing out strongly and is a young player performing well."

Van Dijk mentioned that the Dutch team has prepared well to face the "Atlas Lions," confirming that the Dutch coaching staff has analyzed the performance of the Moroccan team.

He said that this match has a "special character due to the ties between the Netherlands and Morocco," emphasizing that it is a knockout match that is divided between "winning or elimination, and we will give it our all."