Oranje’s final preparations in Kansas City ahead of Morocco showdown

The Netherlands began their final preparations on Friday in Kansas City for Tuesday’s last-16 World Cup tie against Morocco, training with a full squad at 10:30 local time. At 23°C under cloudy skies, manager Ronald Koeman oversaw the session the morning after a 3-1 victory over Tunisia, with the entire selection available. Brian Brobbey and Denzel Dumfries completed extra running drills, while Quinten Timber trained separately on a side field after missing the Tunisia game with a concussion. Koeman used the session to speak with Memphis Depay, Oranje’s all-time top scorer with 55 goals, who is now adapting to a bench role at this tournament. Depay told reporters he has accepted his reduced minutes “for now,” as the Brazilian Corinthians forward adjusts to his new position.

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Family and friends visited the training complex, including former international Mark van Bommel, who met with Koeman and technical director Nigel de Jong. Van Bommel, a 79-time capped player and 2010 World Cup runner-up, discussed Oranje’s progress with Koeman and de Jong, two decades after their midfield partnership in South Africa. He also joined Koeman in a separate conversation with Depay, reflecting on the squad’s evolving dynamics. The Netherlands will train twice more in Kansas City before traveling to Mexico: a closed session on Saturday and a final workout on Sunday. Their last-16 match against Morocco kicks off at 03:00 Dutch time on Tuesday in Monterrey, with the winner facing Canada or South Africa in the next round on 4 July in Houston. A quarter-final berth in Boston awaits the Oranje should they advance past Tuesday’s fixture.