Who will get the nod from head coach Louis van Gaal as the Dutch try to seal a place in the semi-finals?

The Netherlands are back at the World Cup after missing the 2018 edition and head coach Louis van Gaal will be confident they can spring a surprise and go far.

They have made it to three World Cup finals in the past, but have yet to lift the coveted trophy as they have fallen at the final hurdle each time.

Could this be the time they finally leave that pain behind and go all the way?

They navigated their way past hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal in the group stages, finishing top of Group A with seven points from three games.

Van Gaal's side then beat the USMNT 3-1 in the last 16 to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Here are the 26 players Van Gaal has picked for the tournament proper and how they could line up in the next round against Argentina.

GettyGOALKEEPERS

Arguably the weakest link of the Dutch squad.

Justin Bijlow (pictured) seemed to be sitting in pole position to wear the No.1 jersey, only for Van Gaal to somewhat surprisingly go with Andries Noppert instead and bench the Feyenoord man.

That was not the first surprise Van Gaal sprung, though.

Previous first-choice Jasper Cillessen was left out altogether, while another alternative in Mark Flekken didn't make the cut either.

Remko Pasveer made his Netherlands debut during the September international break and was picked as their third option between the sticks.

Name

Club

Justin Bijlow

Feyenoord

Remko Pasveer

Ajax

Andries Noppert

Heerenveen

AdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS

The Netherlands have traditionally not been spoilt for choice at the back, but the current group of players seems to have most of its high-profile names acting in defence.

There's Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, Matthijs de Ligt at Bayern Munich, Nathan Ake at Manchester City, Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries at Inter and Tyrell Malacia at Manchester United.

And that's not even taken into account the next generation coming through.

Jurrien Timber snubbed a move to Man Utd in favour of a prolonged stay at Ajax and is arguably one of the best young defenders around in the game.

Name

Club

Denzel Dumfries

Inter

Jeremie Frimpong

Bayer Leverkusen

Matthijs de Ligt

Bayern Munich

Jurrien Timber

Ajax

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Stefan de Vrij

Inter

Nathan Ake

Manchester City

Daley Blind

Ajax

Tyrell Malacia

Manchester United

Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

Long gone are the days of Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, but that doesn't mean Oranje are short of quality in midfield.

Frenkie de Jong remains one of the best around on his day, regardless of his struggles at Barcelona, which seemingly have little to do with his ability and are more about the club's financial situation.

Atalanta duo Teun Koopmeiners and Marten de Roon might not be the most spectacular players around, but know what's expected at the highest level following their Serie A exploits.

And then there's promising Eredivisie youngsters such as Kenneth Taylor and Xavi Simons, who are both selected.

Simons in particular has been in stunning form in recent months and has that special X-factor that has convinced Van Gaal to include him.

Donny van de Beek's lack of playing time at Man Utd cost him, while Roma midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum didn't make it to Qatar due to a leg fracture.

Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch also got dropped from the 26-man squad.

Name

Club

Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona

Kenneth Taylor

Ajax

Teun Koopmeiners

Atalanta

Marten de Roon

Atalanta

Steven Berghuis

Ajax

Davy Klaassen

Ajax

Xavi Simons

PSV

Getty ImagesATTACKERS

Memphis Depay might have to settle for a bit-part role at Barcelona following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, but he remains an undisputed starter for Van Gaal if fit.

His lack of recent game time due to injury heading into the tournament was not ideal, though, and he didn't start in Netherlands' opening two matches.

However, Memphis was back in form in the last 16, finishing off a brilliant team move to bag his 43rd goal for the Netherlands.

Cody Gakpo has also impressed at the World Cup for the Oranje. The PSV sensation has three goals in four games and will be hoping to add to that tally in the quarter-finals.

Alternatives include Steven Bergwijn, who has revived his career at Ajax after an underwhelming spell at Tottenham, and strikers Vincent Janssen, Luuk de Jong and Wout Weghorst. The trio may not be the most refined options, but offer something else and every one of them also made the cut.

Name

Club

Memphis Depay

Barcelona

Steven Bergwijn

Ajax

Cody Gakpo

PSV

Luuk de Jong

PSV

Vincent Janssen

Antwerp

Wout Weghorst

Besiktas

Noa Lang

Club Brugge