2026 World Cup: Eredivisie attackers to follow
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
With the 2026 World Cup in full swing, the Eredivisie will be well represented at forward level with players like Wout Weghorst and Guus Til for the Netherlands, Brandley Kuwas for Curacao, Ayase Ueda for Japan, Esmir Bajraktarevic for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ricardo Pepi for the United States. All will have a role to play in their respective selections.
The 2026 World Cup has started, but the Netherlands will only kick off their tournament this weekend against Japan. Despite this, many attackers playing in the Eredivisie are preparing to enter the fray and could leave their mark on the competition.
Among them, Wout Weghorst is a surprise in the Dutch selection. Despite an average season with only nine goals in 34 games for Ajax, he remains appreciated by Ronald Koeman, who seems to be banking on his profile for decisive starts. Weghorst, author of two goals during the 2022 World Cup, hopes to enrich this total.
Alongside Weghorst is PSV striker Guus Til. Author of an excellent season with 17 goals and 7 assists in 40 matches, Til has maintained impressive consistency in the Eredivisie, scoring at least ten goals per season for five years. However, his limited playing time with the Oranje indicates that he will have to wait for his moment to show up at the World Cup.
For Curaçao, Brandley Kuwas will play his first World Cup. The 33-year-old has had a difficult season in the Dutch League with Volendam, bottom of the season, but has scored seven goals and provided five assists. His contribution as a replacement will be valuable for this first global adventure of Curaçao.
Japan will be able to count on Ayase Ueda, current top scorer among the Eredivisie attackers present in the World Cup. The former Cercle Bruges player shone with Feyenoord, scoring 26 goals in 40 games. His offensive influence could be decisive for the Japanese selection in this very tough competition.
On the Bosnia-Herzegovina side, young Esmir Bajraktarevic, aged 21, is having a promising season with PSV, recording seven goals and four assists in 36 appearances. Despite a substitute status, the choice of the young striker, formerly called up by the United States, constitutes an asset for the Bosnians at their second World Cup as an independent nation.
Finally, the United States will be able to rely on Ricardo Pepi, who could leave PSV for the Premier League by the summer. The 23-year-old striker has scored 19 goals in 34 matches this season, following up with 17 goals the previous season. In a host team under pressure, Pepi will have to fight to win a starting place, especially against Florian Balogun.
Thus, the Eredivisie offers us a varied range of offensive talents ready to distinguish themselves in this 2026 World Cup.