Ever since Virgil van Dijk established himself as one of world football's premier defenders during his time at Liverpool, comparisons to some of the greatest center backs in Premier League history have followed naturally.
From John Terry to Nemanja Vidić and beyond, van Dijk's name is routinely mentioned alongside the defining defenders of the modern era. Given his résumé, it's difficult to argue otherwise.
The Dutchman has won multiple Premier League titles, lifted the Champions League, captained Liverpool through one of the club's most successful periods, and came agonizingly close to becoming the first defender in more than a decade to win the Ballon d'Or, finishing just seven points behind Lionel Messi in 2019.
For all of his accomplishments at club level, however, there remains one glaring omission from van Dijk's list of achievements: major international silverware.
Steady improvement on the international stage
After the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, van Dijk helped usher in a new era for the Oranje. Under his leadership, the Dutch reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup before taking another step forward with a third-place finish at Euro 2024.
Viewed through that lens, the trajectory is difficult to ignore. The Netherlands have steadily grown into a genuine contender on the international stage with van Dijk wearing the captain's armband, even if they are still often viewed as a tier below traditional powerhouses such as Spain and France.
Of course, winning a World Cup is never easy, and the Dutch would likely need to overcome several favored nations to lift the trophy. But football history is filled with teams that defied expectations when the stakes were highest.
And that raises an intriguing question.
If van Dijk were to captain the Netherlands to World Cup glory, would that finally elevate him from one of the greatest defenders of his generation to the greatest defender of the 21st century? Could it even place him in the conversation for the greatest center back the game has ever seen?
I say yes.
Before the big man can even begin dreaming of lifting the World Cup trophy, the Netherlands must first navigate what appears to be one of the tournament's more challenging groups.
Tough 2026 World Cup group draw
Drawn into Group F, the Dutch will face Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia in the opening stage of the competition—a trio of opponents capable of making life uncomfortable for any nation that underestimates them.
Japan, in particular, have built a reputation for upsetting established powers on the world's biggest stage. Their memorable run at the 2022 World Cup included victories over both Germany and Spain, allowing them to top a group few expected them to escape from, let alone win. Any side capable of producing results like that is one that demands respect.
Sweden present a different kind of challenge. Led by Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedes possess enough firepower to trouble even the most organized defenses. Isak, in particular, has looked sharp in the buildup to the tournament, while Gyökeres will arrive full of confidence after playing a key role in Arsenal's Premier League triumph.
Even Tunisia, often viewed as the group's underdog, cannot be overlooked. World Cups have a habit of producing surprises, and the margin for error in the group stage is often far slimmer than many expect.
If the Netherlands can emerge from this group as winners, it would not only secure a favorable path into the knockout rounds but also send an early statement to the rest of the field.
For van Dijk, leading his country through a potentially tricky opening hurdle would be the first step toward adding the one achievement still missing from his otherwise remarkable résumé.
Should the Netherlands advance from the group stage, the challenge will only intensify.
The 2026 World Cup marks the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, creating an expanded knockout bracket and forcing eventual champions to navigate more elimination matches than ever before.
In a competition where a single mistake can end a nation's dream, experience often becomes just as valuable as talent.
That is where van Dijk's importance becomes impossible to overstate.
Van Dijk is a true leader through and through
At 34 years old, the Liverpool captain is the elder statesman of the Dutch back line and one of the most experienced players in the entire squad.
While the Netherlands boast an exciting crop of young talent, including highly regarded defenders such as 20 year-old Jorrel Hato, many of those players will be experiencing the unique pressures of a World Cup knockout match for the first time.
Of course, van Dijk will not be alone. Proven performers such as Nathan Aké and several other experienced internationals will have vital roles to play.
But when adversity inevitably arrives—and it always does during a World Cup run—it is the captain who is expected to set the tone.
And should he successfully guide a young Dutch side through the expanded knockout gauntlet, it would only strengthen the case that his influence extends far beyond his individual performances.
Of course, all of this ultimately leads to one destination: the World Cup Final.
If the Netherlands put together a memorable run and reach football's biggest match, they would be able to lean on a captain who is no stranger to the pressures that accompany winner-take-all occasions.
Between the Champions League, domestic cups and international finals, VVD has played in 12 major winner-take-all games, winning seven of them; being equipped with the tools to handle that kind of environment will be invaluable to the Dutch if they can go all the way.
Perhaps the best example of van Dijk's leadership in a final came during Liverpool's iconic 2024 Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea. With Jurgen Klopp missing a staggering number of senior players, Liverpool were forced to rely on a host of academy products, including Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Jayden Danns.
Rather than allowing the occasion to overwhelm a youthful side, van Dijk helped guide Liverpool through the chaos and ultimately delivered the decisive moment himself, powering home the winning goal in extra time.
It was a performance that encapsulated everything that has made him such a revered figure at Anfield: leadership, composure, and an ability to rise to the moment when his team needs him most.
Should van Dijk captain the Oranje all the way to World Cup glory, the implications for his legacy would be immense.
He is already firmly established as one of the greatest defenders of the modern era. A World Cup triumph would add the major accomplishment missing from his résumé and strengthen his case against virtually every center back of the 21st century.
At that point, the debate would no longer be whether Virgil van Dijk belongs among the greatest defenders of all time.
It would be whether anyone can credibly be placed above him.
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