Van Dijk: Morocco Has World-Class Players and We Are Ready for a Tough Test in the Round of 32

Virgil van Dijk, the captain and defender of the Dutch national team, expressed great respect for the Moroccan national team ahead of their anticipated encounter in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, affirming that the "Atlas Lions" have a group of high-quality players.

Van Dijk, in a press statement on the eve of the match, pointed out that the Dutch national team has studied their opponent thoroughly over the past few days in preparation for one of the toughest matches in the knockout stage.

He said: "The Moroccan national team includes a number of outstanding players, foremost among them Achraf Hakimi, whom I consider one of the best players in the world, alongside Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, and also the young midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi."

He added: "We have analyzed the Moroccan team well, trained intensively, and had two excellent training sessions. We did everything that needed to be done, and now it's time to translate that onto the field."

He affirmed: "I am very much looking forward to this match. It will be a tough encounter in difficult conditions as well, but it's the kind of match that any player would want to play."

He concluded: "I don't think we need to prove anything. We are in a normal situation, and this is a great match for the fans. As for us, it is a reality we must deal with, and all our focus is on facing Morocco."