Netherlands – World Cup 2026

The Netherlands head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the outside favourites, quietly backed to make a deep run despite not being among the very top contenders.

Read on as we offer a comprehensive guide to the Netherlands at the World Cup this summer.

Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup

• Group: F
• Manager: Ronald Koeman
• Captain: Virgil van Dijk
• Best finish: Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)
• Next match: Netherlands vs Japan

Progression from a competitive-looking Group F is anything but a foregone conclusion for the Netherlands as they face Sweden (FIFA-ranked 38th), Japan (18th) and Tunisia (44th).

Despite lacking notable results since finishing third in the 1994 edition in the United States, Sweden boast a resilient and disciplined core, as most recently evidenced by their performances in the qualifying play-offs.

While Tunisia deserve the benefit of the doubt despite never having advanced beyond the World Cup group stage, Japan remain a known quantity at this level, particularly after playing a key role in Germany’s early exit four years ago.

However, if the Netherlands win the group, they will face the runner-up team from Group C in the round of 32.

Latest Netherlands News

• Ronald Koeman resigns as Netherlands manager after Paraguay defeat, hints at retirement
• Japan dream of the impossible, Morocco set another World Cup ambush
• Netherlands run riot to set World Cup benchmark, Spain face early pressure after opening stumble
• United States through to knockout stage after historic win while Brazil rediscover momentum
• World Cup 2026: Germany run riot, Dutch pegged back twice, Doku ‘key’ for Belgium

Netherlands Fixtures

Netherlands Results

Netherlands World Cup 2026 Squad

Player	Club	Position	Age	Caps	Goals
Bart Verbruggen	Brighton & Hove Albion	Goalkeeper	23	27	0
Robin Roefs	Sunderland	Goalkeeper	23	0	0
Mark Flekken	Bayer Leverkusen	Goalkeeper	32	11	0
Jan Paul van Hecke	Brighton & Hove Albion	Defender	25	10	0
Jurrien Timber	Arsenal	Defender	24	23	0
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	Defender	34	90	12
Nathan Ake	Manchester City	Defender	31	58	5
Micky van de Ven	Tottenham Hotspur	Defender	25	19	1
Denzel Dumfries	Inter Milan	Defender	30	71	11
Jorrel Hato	Chelsea	Defender	20	7	0
Mats Wieffer	Brighton & Hove Albion	Midfielder	26	14	1
Ryan Gravenberch	Liverpool	Midfielder	24	25	1
Guus Til	PSV Eindhoven	Midfielder	28	6	1
Tijjani Reijnders	Manchester City	Midfielder	27	30	7
Marten de Roon	Atalanta	Midfielder	35	42	1
Teun Koopmeiners	Juventus	Midfielder	28	27	3
Frenkie de Jong	Barcelona	Midfielder	29	64	2
Quinten Timber	Marseille	Midfielder	24	10	1
Justin Kluivert	Bournemouth	Forward	27	11	0
Wout Weghorst	Ajax	Forward	33	51	14
Memphis Depay	Corinthians	Forward	32	108	55
Cody Gakpo	Liverpool	Forward	27	48	19
Noa Lang	Galatasaray	Forward	26	15	3
Donyell Malen	Roma	Forward	27	51	13
Brian Brobbey	Sunderland	Forward	24	10	1
Crysencio Summerville	West Ham United	Forward	24	0	0

Netherlands Manager

Despite his underwhelming stint at Barcelona, Ronald Koeman took charge of the Netherlands for the second time in the wake of Louis van Gaal’s retirement in 2023.

The veteran coach nearly steered the Oranje to the 2024 UEFA European Championship final, only for England striker Ollie Watkins to break his heart in the second-half added time.

However, it’s undeniable that Koeman has turned the Netherlands into a formidable force, following several underwhelming results at major tournaments.

Whether he has the capacity to take them all the way remains to be seen, but there is growing belief that this Dutch generation has the quality and experience to challenge the world’s elite once again.

Route to the Final

If Netherlands win their group:

• Round of 32: Monday, June 29: Netherlands vs Group C runners-up
• Round of 16: Saturday, July 4: Netherlands vs Group A/B runners-up
• Quarter-final: Thursday, July 9: Netherlands vs France
• Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: Netherlands vs Spain
• Final: Sunday, July 19: Netherlands vs Argentina

If Netherlands are group runners-up:

• Round of 32: Monday, June 29: Netherlands vs Group C winners
• Round of 16: Sunday, July 5: Netherlands vs Group E/I runners-up
• Quarter-final: Saturday, July 11: Netherlands vs England
• Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: Netherlands vs Argentina
• Final: Sunday, July 19: Netherlands vs Spain

Key Players

Virgil van Dijk

If ‘defences win titles,’ the Netherlands’ fate should be in safe hands, as Van Dijk gears up for what could be his last World Cup, looking to captain his side to a long-awaited triumph on football’s biggest stage.

Although the Liverpool stalwart has not always been up to his high standard this season, his leadership, composure and experience still make him the cornerstone of the Dutch backline.

Denzel Dumfries

Fresh off lifting another Serie A title with Inter Milan, Dumfries may be preparing for a high-profile Premier League transfer, with several English powerhouses hot on his trail.

The sought-after wing-back will have to block out the noise surrounding his future and maintain the relentless energy and attacking threat that have made him one of Koeman’s most-trusted performers.

Tijjani Reijnders

Reijnders’ first season at Manchester City has not gone according to plan, yet the 27-year-old remains the creative force of this Dutch team, alongside Xavi Simons.

He had a relatively quiet qualifying campaign and will now be eager to stamp his authority on the tournament. His vision and ball-carrying ability could add a new dimension to the Dutch midfield.

Donyell Malen

Malen’s remarkable impact since joining Roma on a short-term loan in January has transformed him into one of the most exciting forwards to keep an eye on this summer.

His scintillating form in Serie A has overshadowed Cody Gakpo’s output at Liverpool, potentially putting him in contention for a more prominent attacking role in North America.

Memphis Depay

Despite plying his trade at Corinthians, Depay remains the poster boy of the Netherlands squad and one of the most influential figures inside Koeman’s dressing room.

There’s little doubt that he can still perform at the highest level, as witnessed by his impressive exploits in the qualifying campaign. He emerged as his team’s standout performer, netting eight goals and adding four assists.

Netherlands World Cup History

Despite failing to qualify for two of the six World Cup editions this century, the Netherlands have still reached the semi-finals on two occasions, while they lost the 2010 title match to Spain.

However, their tournament run stopped at the quarter-final stage in Qatar four years ago, with eventual winners Argentina beating them after a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.

They’ve also made a habit of progressing from the group stages, as they’ve never failed to overcome this hurdle across their 11 previous World Cup appearances.

Yet, the Oranje couldn’t make it out of the quarter-finals in the 1994 edition in the United States, while they didn’t qualify for the only previous tournament staged in Mexico back in 1986.

Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A
1930	Did not enter
1934	Round of 16	1	0	0	1	2	3
1938	Round of 16	1	0	0	1	0	3
1950	Did not enter
1954	Did not enter
1958	Did not qualify
1962	Did not qualify
1966	Did not qualify
1970	Did not qualify
1974	Runners-up	7	5	1	1	15	3
1978	Runners-up	7	3	2	2	15	10
1982	Did not qualify
1986	Did not qualify
1990	Round of 16	4	0	3	1	3	4
1994	Quarter-finals	5	3	0	2	8	6
1998	Fourth-place	7	3	3	1	13	7
2002	Did not qualify
2006	Round of 16	4	2	1	1	3	2
2010	Runners-up	7	6	0	1	12	6
2014	Third place	7	5	2	0	15	4
2018	Did not qualify
2022	Quarter-finals	5	3	2	0	10	4

FAQs

Has the Netherlands won the World Cup?

No. Despite featuring in three World Cup finals, they lost each of them. They had to settle for a runner-up finish in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Who is the Netherlands manager?

Ronald Koeman. One of the most experienced managers in European football returned for his second stint as the Netherlands boss in 2023.

How did the Netherlands fare in the last World Cup?

The Netherlands reached the quarter-final in 2022. Argentina beat them on penalties.

Who has made the most appearances for the Netherlands?

Wesley Sneijder. He won 134 caps from 2003 to 2018.

Who has scored the most goals for the Netherlands?

Memphis Depay has scored 55 goals in 108 appearances.

World Cup 2026 Key Links

World Cup 2026 Preview
World Cup 2026 Fixtures & Results
World Cup 2026 Group Standings
World Cup Live Streams
World Cup All-Time Top Scorers
World Cup Host Stadiums & Cities
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