Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman says England will 'gamble on corners and throw-ins' at 2026 FIFA World Cup, makes Arsenal comparison
Updated 27/05/2026 at 18:20 GMT+1
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England will "gamble on corners and throw-ins" at this summer's 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Ronald Koeman, drawing comparisons to the success of Arsenal this season.
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Koeman, the manager of the Netherlands national team, explained that England will lean on their expertise from set pieces to combat the conditions in the US, Canada and Mexico.
"You can tell how they are going to play by the choices they made for the English squad," Koeman told reporters at the announcement of the Netherlands' 26-man squad.
"They are going to gamble on corners and throw-ins. That takes the least amount of energy in the hot conditions.
"That is how Arsenal became champions. Without the corners, they wouldn't have made it."
Arsenal were extremely proficient from set pieces as they claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years, scoring 19 goals from corners this league campaign, the most in a single Premier League season, per ESPN.
Arsenal's two main takers from dead ball situations - Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka - will likely be key players for England in North America and could provide danger from stoppages in play.
Tuchel has previously emphasised the importance he has placed on being dangerous from set pieces.
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”We also have specialists with us, for all different kinds of scenarios. For when we are leading games and chasing them," the German said at the unveiling of his squad for the 2026 World Cup.
”We always said that we wanted to be a strong set-piece team. We have specialists for that. We want to be a strong penalty team, and we have specialists for that too.”
Tuchel's squad selection perhaps emphasises his belief. Included in his squad is Dan Burn, whose height makes him a dangerous weapon to use, and Ivan Toney, who has an excellent record from the penalty spot.
For Koeman, his squad mixes youth and experience as he goes into his second international tournament in his second spell in charge of the Netherlands.
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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk captains the side, while Memphis Depay - currently plying his trade in Brazil for Corinthians - and Wout Weghorst provide international know-how up top.
Van Dijk's Liverpool team-mates Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch were also named in the squad, but Jeremie Frimpong misses out after a disappointing debut season at Anfield.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of familiar names called up by Koeman, with Nathan Ake, Jurrien Timber, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke and Jorrel Hato all being selected.
In attack, Brian Brobbey and Crysencio Summerville received surprise call-ups after good seasons with Sunderland and West Ham United respectively, while Donyell Malen was also named after scoring 14 goals in 18 Serie A games since joining Roma from Aston Villa on loan in January.
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"I have changed," Koeman said. "Looking back at Euro 2024, I have considered afterwards if I did things the right way - having [Depay] as a starter. So if I think it's like that again, I might do that differently."
Koeman, one of the Netherlands' best ever players, has history with England having featured in the controversial game in 1993 which saw England miss out on qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
With England needing just a draw to book their spot in the tournament, Koeman avoided giving away a penalty and managed not to get a red card for what many saw as a professional foul, with the scores level, adding to England's misery as he scored from a free-kick just minutes later.
England lost 2-0 in Rotterdam and missed out on the tournament in the US despite beating San Marino months later, with manager Graham Taylor resigning shortly afterwards.
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