Virgil van Dijk is expected to bring his international career with the Netherlands to an end following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Dutch outlet Soccer News, the 35-year-old centre-back has decided to focus entirely on his club career after the tournament currently being held in the United States.
Van Dijk is leading the Netherlands as captain at this World Cup, with the Oranje beginning their campaign against Japan in the group stage.
The report states that the defender’s intention to retire from international football is considered an “open secret” in Dutch media circles, and the decision is expected to be officially announced after the tournament ends
.
Van Dijk’s future at club level remains uncertain. His contract with Liverpool expires in 12 months, and it is believed that he intends to honour his current deal until its conclusion.
However, once his contract with the English club comes to an end, there is still no clarity regarding where one of the most successful defenders of his generation will continue his career.
If the reports prove accurate, the 2026 World Cup will mark Van Dijk’s final appearance in a Netherlands shirt, bringing an important chapter of his international career to a close.
