The Netherlands is often touted as the most talented national football team never to lift the World Cup trophy.

The Dutch squad has a storied legacy filled with remarkable players and a history of reaching crucial tournament stages, including three runner-up finishes at the World Cup in 1974, 1978, and 2010, alongside claiming the European Championship title in 1988. Following their absence from the 2018 edition, they have bounced back as a formidable contender, marked by a quarterfinal run in 2022.

Qualification Process

The Netherlands secured its spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by dominating UEFA Group G, completing the qualifiers without a loss and attaining a total of 20 points, which was three clear of Poland in second place. Their direct ticket to the World Cup was solidified by a 4-0 triumph against Lithuania in their closing match.

Group Stage Schedule

• June 14: Netherlands vs. Japan — Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas (4 p.m. ET)
• June 20: Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania) — Houston, Texas (1 p.m. ET)
• June 25: Netherlands vs. Tunisia — Kansas City Stadium (7 p.m. ET)

Previous World Cup Attempts

The Netherlands has a rich World Cup history with entries in the following years: 1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.

Historical Best Finish

The Dutch team notably finished as runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010.

Key Players to Watch

• Virgil van Dijk: The seasoned defender and captain of the national team, boasting accolades including UEFA Champions League and Premier League titles.

• Memphis Depay: The team’s leading scorer with 55 international goals and a pivotal attacking presence.

• Frenkie de Jong: Integral to the midfield and recognized for his contributions at top clubs like Barcelona.

Coaching Leadership

Ronald Koeman has resumed coaching duties for the national team as of 2023. In past stints, he was pivotal in revitalizing the team’s competitive edge, leading to their qualification for Euro 2020 and a UEFA Nations League final appearance in 2019.

Leading Scorer and Caps Leader

• Memphis Depay: 55 goals (active player)
• Wesley Sneijder: 134 caps, played for clubes like Ajax, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan.

Team Nickname

The Netherlands is affectionately known as Oranje.

Country Overview

• Population: Approximately 18.4 million
• Capital: Amsterdam (official), The Hague (administrative)

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