Denzel Dumfries has voiced strong belief in the Netherlands’ potential to claim the 2026 World Cup title after their emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden. The 30-year-old right-back emphasised that optimism and intensity within Ronald Koeman’s squad are steadily increasing as they prepare for what they hope will be a memorable campaign.

Choosing the World Cup over transfer rumours

Following the Oranje’s dominant 5-1 triumph over Sweden, Dumfries made his ambitions clear but refused to be drawn into speculation about a potential post-World Cup transfer to Real Madrid. The defender made it clear that his focus remains solely on the national team’s objectives.

“Questions about Real Madrid, I will not answer them,” Dumfries said during his post-match press conference. “But when it comes to whether we have enough quality to become world champions, I am very clear about that: yes, we do.”

Confidence and energy building within the squad

Reflecting on the big win over Sweden, Dumfries noted how the result has completely lifted the spirit of the camp after their earlier 2-2 draw with Japan in their opening fixture. He explained that such a high-scoring win naturally enhances momentum and belief, which is now evident during training sessions as the team prepares for upcoming matches.

“The confidence is growing,” Dumfries remarked while analysing the team’s current mindset. “That happens with every side after a big victory. Good energy flows into the group, and you can notice that on the training field as well. I believe the 5-1 win is valuable in every possible way.”

Belief grounded in experience and realism

Dumfries dismissed any suggestion that his comments were just tournament excitement, stressing that his optimism is based on the team’s accumulated experience and the maturity of the current Dutch lineup.

“At previous European Championships and World Cups, we performed reasonably well,” Dumfries said. “But this group has the ability to accomplish something extraordinary. We now have a lot of experience in the squad, but everything must align perfectly for us to succeed.”

Full concentration on the ultimate goal

Even after their attacking masterclass, Dumfries underlined that the Netherlands remain focused on correcting defensive shortcomings. He stated that the players are fully committed and do not need any further motivation after collecting four points from their matches against Japan and Sweden.

“The focus is completely there,” Dumfries concluded when discussing their World Cup pursuit. “I feel that we are more connected as a group than in previous tournaments. I recognise a lot of quality among our rivals, but if we maintain our sharpness, I truly believe we are genuine contenders.”