Virgil Van Dijk Hints Towards Liverpool Future and Reveals World Cup Aim

Virgil Van Dijk has revealed his World Cup aim for 2026 and has given a slight hint towards his Liverpool future as the Dutchman’s deal at Anfield winds down.

The Dutch defender was reportedly looking into the possibility of retiring from international football after the Netherlands were knocked out of Euro 2024 by England in the semi-final.

After the match, Van Dijk was clearly emotional and claimed that he would ‘think carefully’ about his future for both club and country.

Euro 2024 came after a long-winded season for the Liverpool defender, making 64 appearances and accumulating over 5,300 minutes.

However, this view appears to have changed in the months following Euro 2024, as the 33-year-old revealed his latest thoughts after the Netherlands beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 in the Nations League opener.

🚨🇳🇱 Virgil van Dijk: “Yes, I want to play another World Cup. I know I am still more than good enough”.

“I am the captain of Liverpool, consistent factor and also I feel excellent physically”. pic.twitter.com/FLnuFxLoqv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 8, 2024

The Liverpool captain said: “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.

“I also understood that it was unclear how I felt about it. I was of course very disappointed after the match [vs. England], then you are full of emotion.

“It may have seemed at the time that it could have been my last international match. But I am a warrior and a fighter and I will never just give up for Oranje.

“Ultimately, you have to look at your own abilities and assess whether you are still important enough. I most certainly am. On the field and off it.”

According to reports, Ronald Koeman flew out to Liverpool to talk with Van Dijk over his international future and it appears to have convinced the defender to continue for the 2026 World Cup.

When the World Cup comes round Van Dijk will be 35-years-old, but the defender feels fit enough now to aim for a place at the tournament.

His contract at Liverpool expires in the summer of 2025, meaning this is his last season on the current deal and a new contract is yet to be agreed.