Sam Vrieswijk26 Jun 2026, 01:05
Last updated: June 26, 2026 01:05
Although it’s quite warm in the US right now, it’s noticeable that Virgil van Dijk always wears long sleeves on the field. And this is not the first world championship. Why? The defense attorney already said this several years ago.
During the matches of the Dutch national team at this World Cup, the thermometer easily reaches thirty degrees. And yet Van Dijk always wears long sleeves.
It’s part of his competitive rituals, he explained in 2018. Exercise therapy later. “Personally, I have to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt to every match, even in the summer,” he said at the time.
In addition, the captain of the Dutch national team has other match rituals. “Everyone has little superstitions. If you play well in a certain shoe, you’ll wear it again in the next game.”
While many players play with their surname on their shirt, Van Dijk has been choosing his name for a long time. This is due to a difficult relationship with his father, who was practically absent in his youth.
Van Dijk will play for the Dutch national team against Tunisia on the night of Thursday to Friday at 1:00 Dutch time. This game will take place in Kansas City.
If the Netherlands win, there is a good chance they will win the group and face Morocco in the next round. However, second or even third place in the group is not impossible.