Eredivisie players at the 2026 World Cup: Defenders | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup kicks off this week, and there are plenty of Eredivisie players heading over for the tournament. Yesterday we had a look at the two goalkeepers, so today we will look at the defenders.

Ko Itakura – Japan

Ajax are providing Japan with two defenders for the tournament. Ko Itakura joined Ajax in August from Borussia Monchengladbach and played 26 games this season, scoring one goal. The 29-year-old central defender has played 40 games for Japan who are one of the dark horses to go far at the years World Cup.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – Japan

Fellow Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu joins Itakura at the World Cup to represent Japan. The former Arsenal defender had another injury hit season, making just nine appearances for Ajax since joining on a free in December. Tomiyasu has plenty to offer Japan, but whether or not he can remain fit to help at this World Cup remains to be seen.

Tsuyoshi Watanabe – Japan

Former Gent man Tsuyoshi Watanabe rounds out the trio of Japanese defenders heading to the World Cup. Watanabe joined Feyenoord in the summer of 2025 and went on to have another strong season in European football. The talented 29-year-old defender played 39 games for Feyenoord, scoring five goals. He will certainly be a regular for Japan at the World Cup and provide a solid base from which the side can build.

Josip Sutalo – Croatia

Ajax’s Josip Sutalo had a slight dip in form after a strong season last year for the side. He certainly wasn’t helped by the clubs troubles off the pitch as he played 31 games for the side. The former Dynamo Zagreb defender has 33 caps for Croatia who join England, Panama and Ghana in Group L at the World Cup. Sutalo and co will be confident of progressing to the knock-out stages from this group.

Jordan Bos – Australia

Jordan Bos had an excellent first season in Dutch football after swapping Westerlo for Feyenoord last summer. He played 36 games for the side, scoring four goals and providing nine assists from left-back. He will be a key player for Australia at this years World Cup. The Socceroo’s face hosts US, Paraguay and Türkiye as part of Group D. Bos will likely need to create plenty from full-back for the side to make it through to the next round.

Sherel Floranus – Curacao

PEC Zwolle defender Sherel Floranus will line up for debutants Curacao at left-back during the World cup. the 27-year-old is one of many players representing the small island nation at the tournament. In his second season with PEC Zwolle Floranus played 34 games, scoring his first goal for the club and providing four assists, the best of his career so far.

Armando Obispo – Curacao

Like Floranus, Armando Obispo will be a key player for Curacao at the World Cup. The 27-year-old played 27 games for Eredivisie champions PSV this season, scoring two goals. The left-footed central defender is likely to be busy as the side face strong opposition in Germany, Ecuador and Cote d’Ivoire at the World Cup.

Shurandy Shambo – Curacao

Shurandy Shambo spent the season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam from Burnley, making 27 appearances for the side who he also played for during the 2022/2023 season. With Floranus ahead of him in the pecking order, Shambo is going to have to settle for making his impact off the bench during the tournament.

Deveron Fonville – Curacao

On the opposite flank to Floranus, Deveron Fonville enjoyed an excellent season with NEC Nijmegen as they qualified for European football. The 23-year-old joined the side last summer and played 34 games in all competitions with three assists.

Sergino Dest – USA

The hosts will be expecting the USMNT to go far, and Sergino Dest will be under pressure to replicate his form for PSV at the World Cup. The former Barcelona defender played 38 games for the Eredivisie champions, scoring twice and providing six assists. Dest and co will be confident of making it out of their group, with anything less than that being seen as a complete failure.

Anass Salah-Eddine – Morocco

On loan from Roma for the 2025/2026 season, Anass Salah-Eddine played 25 games for PSV as they won the title. The full-back got a rare start for the Atlas Lions during the sides friendly victory over Madagascar. However, there is plenty of competition for places at full-back in the Moroccan squad, and Salah-Eddine may well have to impress from the bench if he wants to have an impact for Morocco at the World Cup.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson