"A consistent factor" – Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk reveals if he will play in 2026 FIFA World Cup
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has claimed that he is keen to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following Netherlands' recent UEFA Nations League win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earlier this Saturday (September 7), Van Dijk captained his national team to a 5-2 win in the Nations League. He completed 106 of 111 passes, created one chance, and won one of one tackle and seven of 10 duels in the Group C contest against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the end of the encounter, Van Dijk suggested that he is still at the peak of his powers and is hoping to play in the upcoming World Cup. The 33-year-old told reporters (h/t X/@TheEuropeanLad):
"I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough. I am the captain of Liverpool, a consistent factor and I feel excellent physically while I am improving on the ball too."
Van Dijk, who has helped Liverpool keep three straight clean sheets this season, guided Netherlands to the World Cup last-eight stage in 2022. Earlier this summer, he helped Ronald Koeman's side reach the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals, where his team lost 2-1 to England.
The former Celtic centre-back will next be in action in Netherlands' Nations League Group C tie against Germany on Tuesday (September 10).
Liverpool identify Virgil van Dijk successor
In his Fact Files column for Caught Offside, Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk stated that the Reds are keeping tabs on Jonathan Tah's situation at Bayer Leverkusen. He wrote:
"[Apart from Bayern Munich], there's another outfit to keep an eye on – Liverpool. In the far-flung future, they will need a successor for Virgil van Dijk. Jonathan Tah could be that for [them]. They are also on the table at this time."
Sharing further thoughts on the German defender's future, Falk added:
"I think the big advantage for Liverpool in the race for Tah is that the Premier League was always his big, big dream. There will always be rumours linking him with a move to Newcastle [United]. However, if [the Reds] were to knock on his door, there's perhaps a big chance that he'll be playing in the Premier League next season."
Tah, 28, is currently in the final 10 months of his deal at Leverkusen. He has made 357 appearances across competitions for his club, helping them lift three trophies in the process.
Should the Merseyside club decide to let Virgil van Dijk leave as a free agent next summer, they could opt to replace the Dutchman with Tah.