High expectations follow the Netherlands after it breezed through qualification last year, outscoring opponents by 23 goals. It has reached the knockout stage of every World Cup it has played in since 1974, and in its last three appearances, it finished second and third and made the quarterfinals.
Though their title chances took a hit when Xavi Simons sustained a season-ending injury this spring, the Dutch will surround van Dijk with a deep group of younger teammates, including Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries and Tijjani Reijnders. Ranked seventh in the world, the Dutch are a factor this summer and could be again during the next World Cup cycle.
Yet whether van Dijk will still be in uniform in 2030 is unclear, making this a chance the Netherlands can’t afford to lose.
— Andrew Greif
Luka Modrić, Croatia
Eight years ago, in 2018, Luka Modrić was the best soccer player on the planet. That year, he won his third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid, and he led Croatia to its first World Cup final. Though Croatia lost to France, 4-2, Modrić won the Golden Ball award, given to the tournament’s best player.
By the end of the year, Modrić had won the Ballon d’Or, too, the prestigious award given to the world’s best player. He was the first player not named Messi or Ronaldo to win it in about a decade.
Four years later, at 36 years old, Modrić shone again at the 2022 World Cup. He led Croatia to the semifinals, where it lost to Messi and Argentina, who went on to win the whole thing. Modrić won the Bronze Ball, awarded to the tournament’s third-best player.
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