Virgil van Dijk Wins 100th Netherlands Cap Against Serbia
Virgil van Dijk has reached 100 Netherlands appearances after captaining Xavi’s team against Serbia at the Philips Stadion, becoming the latest Oranje centurion in a landmark Nations League night.
A century of authority for Netherlands captain
The Liverpool defender joins an elite Dutch list that includes Wesley Sneijder, Edwin van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Rafael van der Vaart, Daley Blind, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Phillip Cocu and Memphis Depay.
Van Dijk’s international career began on 10 October 2015, when the Netherlands beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Euro 2016 qualifying. Since then, he has developed from a key centre-back into the side’s captain and has added 14 international goals.
Xavi had flagged the emotional weight of the occasion before kick-off, calling 100 caps an exceptional achievement. The Netherlands boss also hailed Van Dijk as a genuine leader whose standards are important for younger players entering the squad.
Milestone arrives during a demanding Group A2 campaign
Van Dijk has made clear that the landmark cannot distract from the Netherlands’ Nations League position. Oranje started the Serbia fixture second in Group A2 on five points, two behind Greece and one ahead of Germany.
After the comeback draw with Greece, the captain insisted that the team’s immediate work mattered more than personal recognition. The Netherlands are still searching for greater defensive control, having gone 11 matches in 2026 without recording a clean sheet.
- Van Dijk made his senior Netherlands debut in the October 2015 win over Kazakhstan.
- He became a regular leader at the back and contributed 14 goals for Oranje.
- He captained the Netherlands through the 2019 Nations League final, the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals and the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
- His 100th cap came against Serbia in a crucial Group A2 contest.
What happens next
The focus now returns to the Nations League table and the Netherlands’ defensive response. Van Dijk’s experience will be central as Xavi’s side attempt to catch Greece, stay clear of Germany and end their long wait for a shutout.
- Van Dijk is now a member of the Netherlands’ 100-cap club.
- The 34-year-old has scored 14 times at international level.
- Oranje were second in Group A2 with five points before facing Serbia.
- Former Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson also brought up 100 caps for Scotland, against North Macedonia, one day earlier.
