14 Jun
Sun
•15:00
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
20 Jun
Sat
•12:00
NRG Stadium • Houston
25 Jun
Thu
•18:00
Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City
15 Jun
Mon
•12:00
Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta
21 Jun
Sun
•18:00
Hard Rock Stadium • Miami
26 Jun
Fri
•20:00
NRG Stadium • Houston
The value of every point in this group stage turns each 50-50 ball into pure survival — especially when you’re up against a traditional powerhouse like the Dutch national team. Heirs to the legacy of “Total Football”, the Oranje build from the back with calm precision, push their full-backs high, and seem to create chances almost on autopilot whenever they dominate possession.
On the other side of the pitch, Cape Verde embody the new wave of African football: a rock-solid unit, relentless work ethic off the ball and devastating pace every time they win it back and spring forward, with many players hardened in top European leagues. On paper, the experience of a team used to football’s biggest stages collides with the hunger of a World Cup debutant determined to leave its mark. In a group this tight, every showdown between the Dutch and Cape Verde carries the weight of a final in advance.
At Qatar 2022, the Dutch made it all the way to the quarter-finals, only bowing out on penalties against the eventual champions, driven by the authority of Virgil van Dijk, the composure of Frenkie de Jong and the clinical finishing of Cody Gakpo.
The island side arrive on the back of impressive performances in the Africa Cup of Nations and in qualifying, where leaders like Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues and Stopira have carried the team in the biggest moments. Don’t just catch it in the highlights: secure your tickets and witness live a clash between a true historic force in world football and a national team hell-bent on earning its place among the elite.